Phil Irwin vs. Erik Sabel — Career Comparison

Phil Irwin built a career as a starting pitcher and Erik Sabel as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Erik Sabel posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.02 and WHIP 1.541 compared to 7.27 and 2.077 for Phil Irwin. By the career numbers, Erik Sabel had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.