Elvis Alvarado vs. Frank Viola — Career Comparison

Frank Viola built a career as a starting pitcher and Elvis Alvarado as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Elvis Alvarado posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.19 and WHIP 1.346 compared to 3.73 and 1.315 for Frank Viola. By the career numbers, Elvis Alvarado had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.