Kurt Birkins vs. Clayton Richard — Career Comparison

Clayton Richard 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. Clayton Richard posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.51 and WHIP 1.449 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Clayton Richard had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.