Kurt Birkins vs. Jose Valdez — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Kurt Birkins and Jose Valdez are fairly close on the surface numbers. Kurt Birkins posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.85 vs 6.34) and home runs allowed (0.84 per nine innings vs 2.77). Jose Valdez had the advantage in WHIP (1.482 vs 1.553). 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.