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Craig Kimbrel vs Mariano Rivera Comparison (Through 6 Seasons)
Head-to-head comparison of future MLB Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and current big leaguer Craig Kimbrel that includes stats, World Series, and awards. Go to our Player Comparison page to check out other comparisons.
Team, Position and Height
Teams
Craig Kimbrel – 2 (Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres)
Mariano Rivera – 1 (New York Yankees)
Position
Craig Kimbrel – Right Handed Closer
Mariano Rivera – Right Handed Closer
Height
Craig Kimbrel – 5’11”
Mariano Rivera – 6’2″
Major League Debut Age
Craig Kimbrel – 22
Mariano Rivera – 25
Years in this Comparison
Craig Kimbrel – 2010-2015
Mariano Rivera – 1995-2000
World Series and Playoff Appearances
World Series
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 4 (1996, 1998-2000) 
World Series Appearances
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 4 (1996, 1998-2000)
Playoff Appearances
Craig Kimbrel – 3 (2010, 2012-2013)
Mariano Rivera – 6 (1995-2000)
World Series MVP
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 1 (1999)
Awards and Honors
Reliever of the Year Award
Craig Kimbrel – 2 (2012, 2014)
Mariano Rivera – 1 (1999)
MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award
Craig Kimbrel – 1 (2013)
Mariano Rivera – *Award wasn’t introduced until 2005
Rookie of the Year
Craig Kimbrel – 1 (2011)
Mariano Rivera – 0
All-Star Games
Craig Kimbrel – 4 (2011-2014)
Mariano Rivera – 3 (1997, 1999-2000)
Saves League Leader
Craig Kimbrel – 4 (2011-2014)
Mariano Rivera – 1 (1999)
Games Finished Leader
Craig Kimbrel – 1 (2011)
Mariano Rivera – 0
Strikeout League Leader Among Relief Pitchers
Craig Kimbrel – 1 (2011)
Mariano Rivera – 1 (1996)
Regular Season Pitching Stats
Games
Craig Kimbrel – 355
Mariano Rivera – 332
Games Finished
Craig Kimbrel – 294
Mariano Rivera – 245
Saves
Craig Kimbrel – 225
Mariano Rivera – 165
Wins
Craig Kimbrel – 19
Mariano Rivera – 33
Losses
Craig Kimbrel – 12
Mariano Rivera – 17
Win-Loss Percentage
Craig Kimbrel – .613
Mariano Rivera – .660
ERA (Earned Run Average)
Craig Kimbrel – 1.63
Mariano Rivera – 2.63
Strikeouts
Craig Kimbrel – 563
Mariano Rivera – 395
Innings Pitched
Craig Kimbrel – 348 1/3
Mariano Rivera – 452 1/3
Hits Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 193
Mariano Rivera – 358
Earned Runs Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 63
Mariano Rivera – 132
Runs Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 70
Mariano Rivera – 139
Home Runs Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 18
Mariano Rivera – 26
WHIP (Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched)
Craig Kimbrel – 0.93
Mariano Rivera – 1.11
Batters Faced
Craig Kimbrel – 1,366
Mariano Rivera – 1,852
Walks
Craig Kimbrel – 130
Mariano Rivera – 144
Intentional Walks
Craig Kimbrel – 5
Mariano Rivera – 16
Hit by Pitch
Craig Kimbrel – 9
Mariano Rivera – 8
Balks
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 2
Hits Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 5.0
Mariano Rivera – 7.1
Strikeouts Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 14.5
Mariano Rivera – 7.9
Home Runs Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 0.5
Mariano Rivera – 0.5
Walks Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 3.4
Mariano Rivera – 2.9
Postseason Pitching Stats
Games
Craig Kimbrel – 6
Mariano Rivera – 41
Games Finished
Craig Kimbrel – 4
Mariano Rivera – 31
Saves
Craig Kimbrel – 1
Mariano Rivera – 19
Wins
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 4
Losses
Craig Kimbrel – 1
Mariano Rivera – 0
Win-Loss Percentage
Craig Kimbrel – .000
Mariano Rivera – 1.000
ERA (Earned Run Average)
Craig Kimbrel – 1.35
Mariano Rivera – 0.71
Strikeouts
Craig Kimbrel – 10
Mariano Rivera – 49
Innings Pitched
Craig Kimbrel – 6 2/3
Mariano Rivera – 63
Hits Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 1
Mariano Rivera – 40
Earned Runs Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 1
Mariano Rivera – 5
Runs Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 2
Mariano Rivera – 5
Home Runs Allowed
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 2
WHIP (Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched)
Craig Kimbrel – 0.60
Mariano Rivera – 0.79
Batters Faced
Craig Kimbrel – 21
Mariano Rivera – 265
Walks
Craig Kimbrel – 3
Mariano Rivera – 10
Intentional Walks
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 1
Hit by Pitch
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 1
Balks
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 0
Hits Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 1.4
Mariano Rivera – 5.7
Strikeouts Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 13.5
Mariano Rivera – 7.0
Home Runs Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 0
Mariano Rivera – 0.3
Walks Per 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 4.1
Mariano Rivera – 1.4
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