Jim Blackburn vs. Shota Imanaga — Career Comparison

Shota Imanaga built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Blackburn as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Shota Imanaga posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.28 and WHIP 1.006 compared to 5.5 and 1.722 for Jim Blackburn. By the career numbers, Shota Imanaga had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.