Clayton Kershaw vs Pedro Martinez: Career Stats Comparison
Clayton Kershaw and Pedro Martinez are close to even, splitting the 12 statistical categories compared on this page 6–6. Clayton Kershaw has played 2008–present as a pitcher; Pedro Martinez played 1992–2009 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
Clayton Kershaw (2008–present) and Pedro Martinez (1992–2009) — breaking in during the 2000s and the 1990s respectively, so they pitched against very different hitting environments. Clayton Kershaw compiled 223 wins and 3,052 strikeouts; Pedro Martinez put up 219 wins and 3,154 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Clayton Kershaw, with 2.53 to Pedro Martinez's 2.93.
- Who won more games? Clayton Kershaw, with 223 to Pedro Martinez's 219.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Pedro Martinez, with 3,154 to Clayton Kershaw's 3,052.
- Who had the better WHIP? Clayton Kershaw, with 1.02 to Pedro Martinez's 1.05.
- Who pitched more innings? Clayton Kershaw, with 2,855 to Pedro Martinez's 2,827.
- Who threw more shutouts? Pedro Martinez, with 17 to Clayton Kershaw's 15.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Pedro Martinez, with 113,314 career Pitcher PIV to Clayton Kershaw's 93,455.
Clayton Kershaw
Pedro Martinez
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. Totals where fewer is not an achievement -- losses, walks and hits allowed -- are left unmarked, because they track how long someone pitched rather than how well. Rate stats are not era-adjusted: compare them with the era in mind, or use the PIV card below, which is.
| Statistic | Clayton Kershaw | Pedro Martinez |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 223 | 219 |
| Losses | 96 | 100 |
| Games | 455 | Leads: 476 |
| Games Started | Leads: 451 | 409 |
| Complete Games | 25 | Leads: 46 |
| Shutouts | 15 | Leads: 17 |
| Saves | 0 | Leads: 3 |
| Strikeouts | 3,052 | Leads: 3,154 |
| Walks | 713 | 760 |
| Hits Allowed | 2,193 | 2,221 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 235 | 239 |
| Innings Pitched | Leads: 2,855 | 2,827 |
| ERA | Leads: 2.53 | 2.93 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.02 | 1.05 |
| K/9 | 9.62 | Leads: 10.04 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 2.25 | 2.42 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Pedro Martinez leads Clayton Kershaw 113,314 to 93,455 — a gap driven primarily by per-season impact (6,295 vs 5,192 per year). 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).
Clayton Kershaw — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Pedro Martinez — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Clayton Kershaw leads in wins, ERA, WHIP, and innings pitched, while Pedro Martinez owns strikeouts and K/9. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Clayton Kershaw. Note that PIV actually grades Pedro Martinez ahead, which means Clayton Kershaw's edge is partly volume. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
Clayton Kershaw vs Pedro Martinez: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who had the better ERA?
- Clayton Kershaw, with 2.53 to Pedro Martinez's 2.93.
- Who won more games?
- Clayton Kershaw, with 223 to Pedro Martinez's 219.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Pedro Martinez, with 3,154 to Clayton Kershaw's 3,052.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Clayton Kershaw, with 1.02 to Pedro Martinez's 1.05.