Duane Ward vs David Wells: Career Stats Comparison
David Wells 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). Duane Ward played 1986–1995 as a pitcher; David Wells played 1987–2007 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
Duane Ward (1986–1995) and David Wells (1987–2007) — both came up during the 1980s, so the matchup is a direct one. Duane Ward finished with 32 wins and 679 strikeouts; David Wells finished with 239 wins and 2,201 strikeouts. The numbers below run them through identical career and rate-stat lenses.
Quick answer
- Who had the better ERA? Duane Ward, with 3.28 to David Wells's 4.13.
- Who won more games? David Wells, with 239 to Duane Ward's 32.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? David Wells, with 2,201 to Duane Ward's 679.
- Who had the better WHIP? Duane Ward, with 1.26 to David Wells's 1.27.
- Who pitched more innings? David Wells, with 3,439.0 to Duane Ward's 666.2.
- Who threw more shutouts? David Wells, with 12 to Duane Ward's 0.
- Who has the higher career Pitcher PIV? David Wells, with 31,301 career Pitcher PIV to Duane Ward's 18,942.
David Wells
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 | Duane Ward | David Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 32 | Leads: 239 |
| Losses not scored | 37 | 157 |
| Games | 462 | Leads: 660 |
| Games Started | 2 | Leads: 489 |
| Complete Games | 0 | Leads: 54 |
| Shutouts | 0 | Leads: 12 |
| Saves | Leads: 121 | 13 |
| Strikeouts | 679 | Leads: 2,201 |
| Walks not scored | 286 | 719 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 551 | 3,635 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 32 | 407 |
| Innings Pitched | 666.2 | Leads: 3,439.0 |
| ERA | Leads: 3.28 | 4.13 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.26 | 1.27 |
| K/9 | Leads: 9.17 | 5.76 |
| BB/9 | 3.86 | Leads: 1.88 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), David Wells outpaces Duane Ward 31,301 to 18,942 — a longevity gap rather than a per-season one: David Wells played 24 seasons to Duane Ward's 10, while Duane Ward carries the higher per-season figure (1,894 to 1,304). 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).
Duane Ward — top 1 season by ERA (lower is better)
David Wells — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, David Wells leads in wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched, while Duane Ward owns ERA, WHIP, and K/9. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to David Wells. PIV agrees: David Wells grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Duane Ward and David Wells careers compare
Duane Ward and David Wells were active at the same time between 1987 and 1995. With 462 games against 660 across 10 and 24 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. Duane Ward's edges on the table are saves (121 to 13), ERA (3.28 to 4.13), and WHIP (1.26 to 1.27). By rate, Duane Ward struck out 9.17 and walked 3.86 per nine innings; David Wells struck out 5.76 and walked 1.88. Their roles differ: Duane Ward worked mostly in relief (2 starts in 462 games, 121 saves); David Wells was mainly a starter (489 starts in 660 games). Complete games (0 to 54) show how differently the two eras used starters.
Duane Ward vs David Wells: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Duane Ward or David Wells?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, David Wells leads Duane Ward in 8 of the 12 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Duane Ward, with 3.28 to David Wells's 4.13.
- Who won more games?
- David Wells, with 239 to Duane Ward's 32.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- David Wells, with 2,201 to Duane Ward's 679.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Duane Ward, with 1.26 to David Wells's 1.27.