Stephen Strasburg vs Zack Wheeler: Career Stats Comparison
Zack Wheeler has the better career line of the two, leading 6 of the 10 statistical categories compared on this page. Stephen Strasburg played 2010–2022 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
Stephen Strasburg (2010–2022) and Zack Wheeler (2013–present) — both came up during the 2010s, so the matchup is a direct one. Stephen Strasburg compiled 113 wins and 1,723 strikeouts; Zack Wheeler put up 113 wins and 1,820 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Stephen Strasburg, with 3.24 to Zack Wheeler's 3.28.
- Who won more games? Neither — both are at 113.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Zack Wheeler, with 1,820 to Stephen Strasburg's 1,723.
- Who had the better WHIP? Stephen Strasburg, with 1.10 to Zack Wheeler's 1.14.
- Who pitched more innings? Zack Wheeler, with 1,728 to Stephen Strasburg's 1,470.
- Who threw more shutouts? Zack Wheeler, with 3 to Stephen Strasburg's 2.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? Stephen Strasburg, with 41,364 career Pitcher PIV to Zack Wheeler's 39,270.
Stephen Strasburg
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. 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 | Stephen Strasburg | Zack Wheeler |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 113 | 113 |
| Losses | 62 | 75 |
| Games | 247 | Leads: 283 |
| Games Started | 247 | Leads: 283 |
| Complete Games | 2 | Leads: 5 |
| Shutouts | 2 | Leads: 3 |
| Saves | 0 | 0 |
| Strikeouts | 1,723 | Leads: 1,820 |
| Walks | 394 | 490 |
| Hits Allowed | 1,217 | 1,475 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 149 | 166 |
| Innings Pitched | 1,470 | Leads: 1,728 |
| ERA | Leads: 3.24 | 3.28 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.10 | 1.14 |
| K/9 | Leads: 10.55 | 9.48 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 2.41 | 2.55 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Stephen Strasburg edges Zack Wheeler 41,364 to 39,270 — a gap driven primarily by per-season impact (3,182 vs 3,570 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).
Stephen Strasburg — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Zack Wheeler — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Stephen Strasburg leads in ERA, WHIP, and K/9, while Zack Wheeler owns strikeouts and innings pitched. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Stephen Strasburg. PIV agrees: Stephen Strasburg grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
Stephen Strasburg vs Zack Wheeler: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Stephen Strasburg or Zack Wheeler?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Zack Wheeler leads Stephen Strasburg in 6 of 10 categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Stephen Strasburg, with 3.24 to Zack Wheeler's 3.28.
- Who won more games?
- Neither — both are at 113.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Zack Wheeler, with 1,820 to Stephen Strasburg's 1,723.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Stephen Strasburg, with 1.10 to Zack Wheeler's 1.14.