Kurt Birkins vs. Jeff Suppan — Career Comparison

Jeff Suppan 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. Jeff Suppan posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.7 and WHIP 1.483 compared to 5.85 and 1.553 for Kurt Birkins. By the career numbers, Jeff Suppan had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.