Sparky Lyle vs Mike Marshall: Career Stats Comparison
Sparky Lyle has the better career line of the two, leading 7 of the 12 scored categories on this page (4 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Sparky Lyle played 1967–1982 as a pitcher; Mike Marshall played 1967–1981 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
Sparky Lyle (1967–1982) and Mike Marshall (1967–1981) — both came up during the 1960s, so the matchup is a direct one. Sparky Lyle finished with 99 wins and 873 strikeouts; Mike Marshall finished with 97 wins and 880 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Sparky Lyle, with 2.88 to Mike Marshall's 3.14.
- Who won more games? Sparky Lyle, with 99 to Mike Marshall's 97.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Mike Marshall, with 880 to Sparky Lyle's 873.
- Who had the better WHIP? Sparky Lyle, with 1.28 to Mike Marshall's 1.29.
- Who pitched more innings? Sparky Lyle, with 1,390.1 to Mike Marshall's 1,386.2.
- Who threw more shutouts? Mike Marshall, with 1 to Sparky Lyle's 0.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Sparky Lyle, with 16,426 career Pitcher PIV to Mike Marshall's 15,195.
Sparky Lyle
Mike Marshall
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. 12 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 4 are counting totals on which fewer is not an achievement, so no one is awarded them. 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, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Sparky Lyle | Mike Marshall |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Leads: 99 | 97 |
| Losses not scored | 76 | 112 |
| Games | Leads: 899 | 724 |
| Games Started | 0 | Leads: 24 |
| Complete Games | 0 | Leads: 3 |
| Shutouts | 0 | Leads: 1 |
| Saves | Leads: 238 | 188 |
| Strikeouts | 873 | Leads: 880 |
| Walks not scored | 481 | 514 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 1,292 | 1,281 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 84 | 79 |
| Innings Pitched | Leads: 1,390.1 | 1,386.2 |
| ERA | Leads: 2.88 | 3.14 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.28 | 1.29 |
| K/9 | 5.65 | Leads: 5.71 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 3.11 | 3.34 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Sparky Lyle edges Mike Marshall 16,426 to 15,195 — driven by both sides of the ledger: 913 PIV per season to 894, across 18 seasons to 17. PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
PIV is computed through the 2025 season. The career totals on this page include 2026 to date, so PIV does not yet reflect the 2026 season.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (120+ innings).
Sparky Lyle — top 1 season by ERA (lower is better)
Mike Marshall — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Sparky Lyle leads in wins, ERA, WHIP, and innings pitched, while Mike Marshall owns strikeouts and K/9. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Sparky Lyle. PIV agrees: Sparky Lyle grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Sparky Lyle and Mike Marshall careers compare
From 1967 through 1981, Sparky Lyle and Mike Marshall were in the majors together. With 899 games against 724 across 18 and 17 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. By rate, Sparky Lyle struck out 5.65 and walked 3.11 per nine innings; Mike Marshall struck out 5.71 and walked 3.34. Both had the same role: Sparky Lyle worked mostly in relief (0 starts in 899 games, 238 saves); Mike Marshall worked mostly in relief (24 starts in 724 games, 188 saves). Sparky Lyle allowed fewer baserunners, a 1.28 WHIP to Mike Marshall's 1.29.
Sparky Lyle vs Mike Marshall: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Sparky Lyle or Mike Marshall?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Sparky Lyle leads Mike Marshall in 7 of the 12 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Sparky Lyle, with 2.88 to Mike Marshall's 3.14.
- Who won more games?
- Sparky Lyle, with 99 to Mike Marshall's 97.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Mike Marshall, with 880 to Sparky Lyle's 873.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Sparky Lyle, with 1.28 to Mike Marshall's 1.29.