Corey Kluber vs Zack Wheeler: Career Stats Comparison
Corey Kluber and Zack Wheeler are close to even, splitting the 8 scored categories on this page 4–4 (8 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Corey Kluber played 2011–2023 as a pitcher; Zack Wheeler has played 2013–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
Corey Kluber (2011–2023) and Zack Wheeler (2013–present) — both debuted in the 2010s. Corey Kluber finished with 116 wins and 1,725 strikeouts; Zack Wheeler has 127 wins and 2,013 strikeouts through the 2026 season. The table below sets out their careers line by line.
Quick answer
- Who leads the career comparison? Neither — they split the 8 scored categories 4–4.
- Who had the better ERA? Zack Wheeler, with 3.26 to Corey Kluber's 3.44.
- Who won more games? Zack Wheeler, with 127 to Corey Kluber's 116.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Zack Wheeler, with 2,013 to Corey Kluber's 1,725.
- Who had the better WHIP? Neither — both are at 1.13.
- How many innings did each pitch? Corey Kluber 1,641.2, Zack Wheeler 1,890.1.
- Who threw more shutouts? Corey Kluber, with 8 to Zack Wheeler's 3.
Corey Kluber
Zack Wheeler
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 | Corey Kluber | Zack Wheeler |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 116 | Leads: 127 |
| Losses not scored | 77 | 80 |
| Games not scored | 271 | 311 |
| Games Started not scored | 260 | 311 |
| Complete Games | Leads: 18 | 5 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 8 | 3 |
| Saves not scored | 1 | 0 |
| Strikeouts | 1,725 | Leads: 2,013 |
| Walks not scored | 368 | 537 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 1,486 | 1,598 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 177 | 187 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 1,641.2 | 1,890.1 |
| ERA | 3.44 | Leads: 3.26 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.13 | 1.13 |
| K/9 | 9.46 | Leads: 9.58 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 2.02 | 2.56 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Zack Wheeler leads Corey Kluber 42,747 to 36,049 — driven by per-season impact — 3,562 PIV per season to 2,773 — rather than by longevity, since Zack Wheeler played 12 seasons to Corey Kluber's 13. 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).
Corey Kluber — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Zack Wheeler — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
Corey Kluber and Zack Wheeler split the 8 scored categories on the head-to-head card 4-4. On the raw scoreboard neither has the edge. PIV, which is era-adjusted, grades Zack Wheeler higher. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Corey Kluber and Zack Wheeler careers compare
Corey Kluber and Zack Wheeler were active at the same time between 2013 and 2023. The two careers are close in length, 271 games for Corey Kluber and 311 for Zack Wheeler across 13 and 12 PIV seasons, so the totals compare on fairly even terms. Where Zack Wheeler comes out ahead, it is in wins (127 to 116), strikeouts (2,013 to 1,725), and ERA (3.26 to 3.44). By rate, Corey Kluber struck out 9.46 and walked 2.02 per nine innings; Zack Wheeler struck out 9.58 and walked 2.56. Zack Wheeler's totals run through the 2026 season.
Corey Kluber vs Zack Wheeler: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Corey Kluber or Zack Wheeler?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, neither leads: they split the 8 scored categories 4–4.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Zack Wheeler, with 3.26 to Corey Kluber's 3.44.
- Who won more games?
- Zack Wheeler, with 127 to Corey Kluber's 116.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Zack Wheeler, with 2,013 to Corey Kluber's 1,725.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Neither — both are at 1.13.