Kurt Birkins vs. Jose Cano — Career Comparison

Jose Cano built a career as a starting pitcher and Kurt Birkins as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jose Cano posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.09 and WHIP 1.435 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Jose Cano had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.