Clifford Allen vs. Tim Birtsas — Career Comparison

Clifford Allen built a career as a starting pitcher and Tim Birtsas as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Tim Birtsas posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.08 and WHIP 1.564 compared to 9.47 and 2.474 for Clifford Allen. By the career numbers, Tim Birtsas had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.