Mike Balas vs. Ken Heintzelman — Career Comparison

Ken Heintzelman 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. Ken Heintzelman posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.93 and WHIP 1.445 compared to 6.75 and 2.250 for Mike Balas. By the career numbers, Ken Heintzelman had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.