Kurt Birkins vs. Justin Shafer — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Kurt Birkins and Justin Shafer are fairly close on the surface numbers. Kurt Birkins posted stronger numbers in WHIP (1.553 vs 1.770) and home runs allowed (0.84 per nine innings vs 1.51). Justin Shafer had the advantage in ERA (4.7 vs 5.85). By the career numbers, Kurt Birkins 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.