Philip Abner vs. Brandon Backe — Career Comparison

Brandon Backe built a career as a starting pitcher and Philip Abner as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Philip Abner posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.91 and WHIP 2.182 compared to 5.23 and 1.563 for Brandon Backe. By the career numbers, Philip Abner had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.