Stephen Strasburg vs Zack Wheeler: Career Stats Comparison
Stephen Strasburg 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). 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 debuted in the 2010s. Stephen Strasburg finished with 113 wins and 1,723 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? Stephen Strasburg, with 3.24 to Zack Wheeler's 3.26.
- Who won more games? Zack Wheeler, with 127 to Stephen Strasburg's 113.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Zack Wheeler, with 2,013 to Stephen Strasburg's 1,723.
- Who had the better WHIP? Stephen Strasburg, with 1.10 to Zack Wheeler's 1.13.
- How many innings did each pitch? Stephen Strasburg 1,470.0, Zack Wheeler 1,890.1.
- Who threw more shutouts? Zack Wheeler, with 3 to Stephen Strasburg's 2.
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. 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 | Stephen Strasburg | Zack Wheeler |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 113 | Leads: 127 |
| Losses not scored | 62 | 80 |
| Games not scored | 247 | 311 |
| Games Started not scored | 247 | 311 |
| Complete Games | 2 | Leads: 5 |
| Shutouts | 2 | Leads: 3 |
| Saves not scored | 0 | 0 |
| Strikeouts | 1,723 | Leads: 2,013 |
| Walks not scored | 394 | 537 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 1,217 | 1,598 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 149 | 187 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 1,470.0 | 1,890.1 |
| ERA | Leads: 3.24 | 3.26 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.10 | 1.13 |
| K/9 | Leads: 10.55 | 9.58 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 2.41 | 2.56 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Zack Wheeler edges Stephen Strasburg 42,747 to 41,364 — driven by per-season impact — 3,562 PIV per season to 3,182 — rather than by longevity, since Zack Wheeler played 12 seasons to Stephen Strasburg'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).
Stephen Strasburg — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Zack Wheeler — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
Stephen Strasburg 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 Stephen Strasburg and Zack Wheeler careers compare
Stephen Strasburg and Zack Wheeler were active at the same time between 2013 and 2022. With 247 games against 311 across 13 and 12 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. The green cells for Zack Wheeler are wins (127 to 113), complete games (5 to 2), and shutouts (3 to 2). By rate, Stephen Strasburg struck out 10.55 and walked 2.41 per nine innings; Zack Wheeler struck out 9.58 and walked 2.56. Both had the same role: Stephen Strasburg was mainly a starter (247 starts in 247 games); Zack Wheeler was mainly a starter (311 starts in 311 games). Stephen Strasburg allowed fewer baserunners, a 1.10 WHIP to Zack Wheeler's 1.13. Zack Wheeler's totals run through the 2026 season.
Stephen Strasburg vs Zack Wheeler: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Stephen Strasburg 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?
- Stephen Strasburg, with 3.24 to Zack Wheeler's 3.26.
- Who won more games?
- Zack Wheeler, with 127 to Stephen Strasburg's 113.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Zack Wheeler, with 2,013 to Stephen Strasburg's 1,723.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Stephen Strasburg, with 1.10 to Zack Wheeler's 1.13.