Derek Lowe vs Javier Vazquez: Career Stats Comparison
Javier Vazquez has the better career line of the two, leading 8 of the 12 statistical categories compared on this page. Derek Lowe played 1997–2013 as a pitcher; Javier Vazquez played 1998–2011 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
Derek Lowe (1997–2013) and Javier Vazquez (1998–2011) — both came up during the 1990s, so the matchup is a direct one. Derek Lowe compiled 176 wins and 1,722 strikeouts; Javier Vazquez put up 165 wins and 2,536 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Derek Lowe, with 4.03 to Javier Vazquez's 4.22.
- Who won more games? Derek Lowe, with 176 to Javier Vazquez's 165.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Javier Vazquez, with 2,536 to Derek Lowe's 1,722.
- Who had the better WHIP? Javier Vazquez, with 1.25 to Derek Lowe's 1.33.
- Who pitched more innings? Javier Vazquez, with 2,840 to Derek Lowe's 2,671.
- Who threw more shutouts? Javier Vazquez, with 8 to Derek Lowe's 4.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Javier Vazquez, with 36,249 career Pitcher PIV to Derek Lowe's 35,122.
Derek Lowe
Javier Vazquez
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 | Derek Lowe | Javier Vazquez |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 176 | 165 |
| Losses | 157 | 160 |
| Games | Leads: 681 | 450 |
| Games Started | 377 | Leads: 443 |
| Complete Games | 10 | Leads: 28 |
| Shutouts | 4 | Leads: 8 |
| Saves | Leads: 86 | 0 |
| Strikeouts | 1,722 | Leads: 2,536 |
| Walks | 794 | 763 |
| Hits Allowed | 2,759 | 2,784 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 217 | 373 |
| Innings Pitched | 2,671 | Leads: 2,840 |
| ERA | Leads: 4.03 | 4.22 |
| WHIP | 1.33 | Leads: 1.25 |
| K/9 | 5.80 | Leads: 8.04 |
| BB/9 | 2.68 | Leads: 2.42 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Javier Vazquez edges Derek Lowe 36,249 to 35,122 — a gap driven primarily by per-season impact (2,589 vs 1,849 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).
Derek Lowe — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Javier Vazquez — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Javier Vazquez leads in strikeouts, WHIP, K/9, and innings pitched, while Derek Lowe owns wins and ERA. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Javier Vazquez. PIV agrees: Javier Vazquez grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
Derek Lowe vs Javier Vazquez: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Javier Vazquez leads Derek Lowe in 8 of 12 categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Derek Lowe, with 4.03 to Javier Vazquez's 4.22.
- Who won more games?
- Derek Lowe, with 176 to Javier Vazquez's 165.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Javier Vazquez, with 2,536 to Derek Lowe's 1,722.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Javier Vazquez, with 1.25 to Derek Lowe's 1.33.