Daniel Bard vs. Shota Imanaga — Career Comparison

Shota Imanaga built a career as a starting pitcher and Daniel Bard as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Shota Imanaga led in walk avoidance (BB%+ 180 vs 74), run prevention (ERA+ 130 vs 111), and skill-based run prevention (DICE+ 99 vs 96). Daniel Bard held the edge in home run suppression (HR9+ 109 vs 74). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Shota Imanaga.