Bert Cole vs. Phil Leftwich — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bert Cole and Phil Leftwich are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bert Cole posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.67 vs 4.99) and home runs allowed (0.39 per nine innings vs 0.98). Phil Leftwich had the advantage in WHIP (1.460 vs 1.593). By the career numbers, Bert Cole 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.