Charlie Buffinton vs. Joel De La Cruz — Career Comparison

Joel De La Cruz built a career as a starting pitcher and Charlie Buffinton as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Charlie Buffinton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.96 and WHIP 1.234 compared to 4.88 and 1.388 for Joel De La Cruz. By the career numbers, Charlie Buffinton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.