Brandon Backe vs. Ed Klieman — Career Comparison

Brandon Backe built a career as a starting pitcher and Ed Klieman as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ed Klieman posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.49 and WHIP 1.410 compared to 5.23 and 1.563 for Brandon Backe. By the career numbers, Ed Klieman had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.