Les Backman vs. Shota Imanaga — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Les Backman and Shota Imanaga are fairly close on the surface numbers. Shota Imanaga posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.28 vs 3.61) and WHIP (1.006 vs 1.453). Les Backman had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.18 per nine innings vs 1.64). By the career numbers, Shota Imanaga had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.