Hiroki Kuroda vs. Kevin Whelan — Career Comparison

Hiroki Kuroda built a career as a starting pitcher and Kevin Whelan as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Hiroki Kuroda posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.45 and WHIP 1.196 compared to 9 and 3.333 for Kevin Whelan. By the career numbers, Hiroki Kuroda had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.