Kurt Birkins vs. Robert Stephenson — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Kurt Birkins and Robert Stephenson are fairly close on the surface numbers. Robert Stephenson posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.59 vs 5.85) and WHIP (1.368 vs 1.553). Kurt Birkins had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.84 per nine innings vs 1.54). By the career numbers, Robert Stephenson 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.