Kurt Birkins vs. Alfredo Simon — Career Comparison

Alfredo Simon 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. Alfredo Simon posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.56 and WHIP 1.419 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Alfredo Simon had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.