Craig Kimbrel vs David Robertson: Career Stats Comparison
Craig Kimbrel and David Robertson are close to even, splitting the 10 statistical categories compared on this page 5–5. Craig Kimbrel has played 2010–present as a pitcher; David Robertson has played 2008–present 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
Craig Kimbrel (2010–present) and David Robertson (2008–present) — breaking in during the 2010s and the 2000s respectively, so they pitched against very different hitting environments. Craig Kimbrel compiled 56 wins and 1,282 strikeouts; David Robertson put up 68 wins and 1,176 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Craig Kimbrel, with 2.58 to David Robertson's 2.93.
- Who won more games? David Robertson, with 68 to Craig Kimbrel's 56.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Craig Kimbrel, with 1,282 to David Robertson's 1,176.
- Who had the better WHIP? Craig Kimbrel, with 1.02 to David Robertson's 1.16.
- Who pitched more innings? David Robertson, with 894 to Craig Kimbrel's 821.
- Who threw more shutouts? Neither — both are at 0.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Craig Kimbrel, with 30,862 career Pitcher PIV to David Robertson's 25,283.
Craig Kimbrel
David Robertson
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 | Craig Kimbrel | David Robertson |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 56 | Leads: 68 |
| Losses | 48 | 46 |
| Games | 851 | Leads: 881 |
| Games Started | 0 | Leads: 1 |
| Complete Games | 0 | 0 |
| Shutouts | 0 | 0 |
| Saves | Leads: 440 | 179 |
| Strikeouts | Leads: 1,282 | 1,176 |
| Walks | 346 | 365 |
| Hits Allowed | 492 | 674 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 75 | 81 |
| Innings Pitched | 821 | Leads: 894 |
| ERA | Leads: 2.58 | 2.93 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.02 | 1.16 |
| K/9 | Leads: 14.04 | 11.83 |
| BB/9 | 3.79 | Leads: 3.67 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Craig Kimbrel leads David Robertson 30,862 to 25,283 — a gap driven primarily by per-season impact (1,715 vs 1,264 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).
Craig Kimbrel
No seasons meet the qualifying workload, so there is no peak-season list to show.
David Robertson
No seasons meet the qualifying workload, so there is no peak-season list to show.
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Craig Kimbrel leads in strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, and K/9, while David Robertson owns wins and innings pitched. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Craig Kimbrel. PIV agrees: Craig Kimbrel grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
Craig Kimbrel vs David Robertson: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who had the better ERA?
- Craig Kimbrel, with 2.58 to David Robertson's 2.93.
- Who won more games?
- David Robertson, with 68 to Craig Kimbrel's 56.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Craig Kimbrel, with 1,282 to David Robertson's 1,176.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Craig Kimbrel, with 1.02 to David Robertson's 1.16.