Mike Balas vs. Sandy Koufax — Career Comparison

Sandy Koufax 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. Sandy Koufax posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.76 and WHIP 1.127 compared to 6.75 and 2.250 for Mike Balas. By the career numbers, Sandy Koufax had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.