Tim Birtsas vs. Bill Werle — Career Comparison

Bill Werle built a career as a starting pitcher and Tim Birtsas as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Tim Birtsas posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.08 and WHIP 1.564 compared to 4.69 and 1.449 for Bill Werle. By the career numbers, Tim Birtsas had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.