Jon Matlack vs Rick Reuschel: Career Stats Comparison
Rick Reuschel has the better career line of the two, leading 8 of the 12 scored categories on this page (4 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Jon Matlack played 1971–1983 as a pitcher; Rick Reuschel played 1972–1991 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
Jon Matlack (1971–1983) and Rick Reuschel (1972–1991) — both came up during the 1970s, so the matchup is a direct one. Jon Matlack finished with 125 wins and 1,516 strikeouts; Rick Reuschel finished with 214 wins and 2,015 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Jon Matlack, with 3.18 to Rick Reuschel's 3.37.
- Who won more games? Rick Reuschel, with 214 to Jon Matlack's 125.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Rick Reuschel, with 2,015 to Jon Matlack's 1,516.
- Who had the better WHIP? Jon Matlack, with 1.23 to Rick Reuschel's 1.27.
- Who pitched more innings? Rick Reuschel, with 3,548.1 to Jon Matlack's 2,363.0.
- Who threw more shutouts? Jon Matlack, with 30 to Rick Reuschel's 26.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Rick Reuschel, with 52,650 career Pitcher PIV to Jon Matlack's 38,811.
Jon Matlack
Rick Reuschel
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 | Jon Matlack | Rick Reuschel |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 125 | Leads: 214 |
| Losses not scored | 126 | 191 |
| Games | 361 | Leads: 557 |
| Games Started | 318 | Leads: 529 |
| Complete Games | 97 | Leads: 102 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 30 | 26 |
| Saves | 3 | Leads: 5 |
| Strikeouts | 1,516 | Leads: 2,015 |
| Walks not scored | 638 | 935 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 2,276 | 3,588 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 161 | 221 |
| Innings Pitched | 2,363.0 | Leads: 3,548.1 |
| ERA | Leads: 3.18 | 3.37 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.23 | 1.27 |
| K/9 | Leads: 5.77 | 5.11 |
| BB/9 | 2.43 | Leads: 2.37 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Rick Reuschel outpaces Jon Matlack 52,650 to 38,811 — a longevity gap rather than a per-season one: Rick Reuschel played 21 seasons to Jon Matlack's 13, while Jon Matlack carries the higher per-season figure (2,985 to 2,507). 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).
Jon Matlack — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Rick Reuschel — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Rick Reuschel leads in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched, while Jon Matlack owns ERA, WHIP, and K/9. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Rick Reuschel. PIV agrees: Rick Reuschel grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Jon Matlack and Rick Reuschel careers compare
Jon Matlack and Rick Reuschel were active at the same time between 1972 and 1983. Rick Reuschel has the far longer record, 557 games against 361 across 13 and 21 PIV seasons, which inflates every career total. Where Jon Matlack comes out ahead, it is in shutouts (30 to 26), ERA (3.18 to 3.37), and WHIP (1.23 to 1.27). By rate, Jon Matlack struck out 5.77 and walked 2.43 per nine innings; Rick Reuschel struck out 5.11 and walked 2.37. Both had the same role: Jon Matlack was mainly a starter (318 starts in 361 games); Rick Reuschel was mainly a starter (529 starts in 557 games).
Jon Matlack vs Rick Reuschel: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Jon Matlack or Rick Reuschel?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Rick Reuschel leads Jon Matlack in 8 of the 12 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Jon Matlack, with 3.18 to Rick Reuschel's 3.37.
- Who won more games?
- Rick Reuschel, with 214 to Jon Matlack's 125.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Rick Reuschel, with 2,015 to Jon Matlack's 1,516.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Jon Matlack, with 1.23 to Rick Reuschel's 1.27.