Brandon Backe vs. Ryan Hawblitzel — Career Comparison

Brandon Backe built a career as a starting pitcher and Ryan Hawblitzel as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Brandon Backe posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.23 and WHIP 1.563 compared to 6 and 1.600 for Ryan Hawblitzel. By the career numbers, Brandon Backe had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.