Mike Balas vs. Herbert Gay — Career Comparison

Herbert Gay built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Balas as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Herbert Gay posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.14 and WHIP 1.850 compared to 6.75 and 2.250 for Mike Balas. By the career numbers, Herbert Gay had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.