Mike Balas vs. Tom Koehler — Career Comparison

Tom Koehler 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. Tom Koehler posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.39 and WHIP 1.414 compared to 6.75 and 2.250 for Mike Balas. By the career numbers, Tom Koehler had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.