Grant Balfour vs. Tim Wakefield — Career Comparison

Tim Wakefield built a career as a starting pitcher and Grant Balfour as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Grant Balfour led in home run suppression (HR9+ 123 vs 78), strikeout rate (K%+ 123 vs 87), and run prevention (ERA+ 115 vs 90). Tim Wakefield held the edge in walk avoidance (BB%+ 92 vs 83). Role difference aside, Grant Balfour holds a clear edge on every meaningful shared measure.