Mike Balas vs. Don Kainer — Career Comparison

Don Kainer 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. Don Kainer posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 1.83 and WHIP 1.627 compared to 6.75 and 2.250 for Mike Balas. By the career numbers, Don Kainer had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.