Jim Bilbrey vs. Shota Imanaga — Career Comparison

Shota Imanaga built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Bilbrey as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Shota Imanaga posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.28 and WHIP 1.006 compared to 18 and 4.000 for Jim Bilbrey. By the career numbers, Shota Imanaga had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.