Michael Kohn vs. Masahiro Tanaka — Career Comparison

Masahiro Tanaka built a career as a starting pitcher and Michael Kohn as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Michael Kohn posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.52 and WHIP 1.461 compared to 3.74 and 1.131 for Masahiro Tanaka. By the career numbers, Michael Kohn had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.