R. J. Alvarez vs. Marty Bystrom — Career Comparison

Marty Bystrom built a career as a starting pitcher and R. J. Alvarez as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Marty Bystrom posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.26 and WHIP 1.428 compared to 7.71 and 1.879 for R. J. Alvarez. By the career numbers, Marty Bystrom had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.