Mike Birkbeck vs. Joel Johnston — Career Comparison

Mike Birkbeck built a career as a starting pitcher and Joel Johnston as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Joel Johnston posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.31 and WHIP 1.296 compared to 4.86 and 1.539 for Mike Birkbeck. By the career numbers, Joel Johnston had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.