Brandon Backe vs. Tommy Hottovy — Career Comparison

Brandon Backe built a career as a starting pitcher and Tommy Hottovy as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Tommy Hottovy posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.05 and WHIP 1.725 compared to 5.23 and 1.563 for Brandon Backe. By the career numbers, Tommy Hottovy had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.