Tom Glavine vs Derek Lowe: Career Stats Comparison
Tom Glavine has the better career line of the two, leading 6 of the 8 scored categories on this page (8 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Tom Glavine played 1987–2008 as a pitcher; Derek Lowe played 1997–2013 as a pitcher.
- ERA (Earned Run Average):
- Earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched: (ER × 9) ÷ IP. The primary measure of pitching effectiveness.
- W (Wins):
- Games credited to a pitcher whose team took a lead it never surrendered while he was the pitcher of record.
- SO (Strikeouts):
- For a batter, times retired on a third strike; for a pitcher, batters retired on a third strike.
- WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched):
- Baserunners allowed per inning: (BB + H) ÷ IP. Under 1.00 is elite.
Data updated
Tom Glavine (1987–2008) and Derek Lowe (1997–2013) — they debuted in the 1980s and the 1990s respectively and share 12 seasons. Tom Glavine finished with 305 wins and 2,607 strikeouts; Derek Lowe finished with 176 wins and 1,722 strikeouts. The table below sets out their careers line by line.
Quick answer
- Who leads the career comparison? Tom Glavine, in 6 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA? Tom Glavine, with 3.54 to Derek Lowe's 4.03.
- Who won more games? Tom Glavine, with 305 to Derek Lowe's 176.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Tom Glavine, with 2,607 to Derek Lowe's 1,722.
- Who had the better WHIP? Tom Glavine, with 1.31 to Derek Lowe's 1.33.
- How many innings did each pitch? Tom Glavine 4,413.1, Derek Lowe 2,671.1.
- Who threw more shutouts? Tom Glavine, with 25 to Derek Lowe's 4.
Tom Glavine
Derek Lowe
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate. Cells highlighted in green mark the player who leads that line. Lower ERA, WHIP and BB/9 lead; higher K/9 leads. 8 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 8 are shown but not scored. Games, starts and innings measure playing time, and losses, walks and hits allowed track how long someone pitched, so they are left unmarked, as is any line where both players are at zero. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Tom Glavine | Derek Lowe |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 305 | 176 |
| Losses not scored | 203 | 157 |
| Games not scored | 682 | 681 |
| Games Started not scored | 682 | 377 |
| Complete Games | Leads: 56 | 10 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 25 | 4 |
| Saves not scored | 0 | 86 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 2,607 | 1,722 |
| Walks not scored | 1,500 | 794 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 4,298 | 2,759 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 356 | 217 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 4,413.1 | 2,671.1 |
| ERA | Leads: 3.54 | 4.03 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.31 | 1.33 |
| K/9 | 5.32 | Leads: 5.80 |
| BB/9 | 3.06 | Leads: 2.68 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Tom Glavine leads Derek Lowe 40,421 to 35,122 — a longevity gap rather than a per-season one: Tom Glavine played 22 seasons to Derek Lowe's 17, while Derek Lowe carries the higher per-season figure (2,066 to 1,837). PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (120+ innings).
Tom Glavine — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Derek Lowe — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
Tom Glavine leads 6 of the 8 scored categories on the head-to-head card: wins, complete games, shutouts, strikeouts, and others. Derek Lowe leads 2: strikeouts per nine and walks per nine. On the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Tom Glavine. PIV agrees: Tom Glavine grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Tom Glavine and Derek Lowe careers compare
From 1997 through 2008, Tom Glavine and Derek Lowe were in the majors together. With 682 games against 681 across 22 and 17 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. Derek Lowe's edges on the table are strikeouts per nine (5.80 to 5.32) and walks per nine (2.68 to 3.06). By rate, Tom Glavine struck out 5.32 and walked 3.06 per nine innings; Derek Lowe struck out 5.80 and walked 2.68. Their roles differ: Tom Glavine was mainly a starter (682 starts in 682 games); Derek Lowe split time between starting and relief (377 starts in 681 games).
Tom Glavine vs Derek Lowe: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Tom Glavine or Derek Lowe?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Tom Glavine leads Derek Lowe in 6 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Tom Glavine, with 3.54 to Derek Lowe's 4.03.
- Who won more games?
- Tom Glavine, with 305 to Derek Lowe's 176.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Tom Glavine, with 2,607 to Derek Lowe's 1,722.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Tom Glavine, with 1.31 to Derek Lowe's 1.33.