Kurt Birkins vs. Dustin McGowan — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Kurt Birkins and Dustin McGowan are fairly close on the surface numbers. Dustin McGowan posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.5 vs 5.85) and WHIP (1.413 vs 1.553). Kurt Birkins had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.84 per nine innings vs 1.08). By the career numbers, Dustin McGowan had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.