Scott Baker vs. Mike Smith — Career Comparison

Mike Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Scott Baker as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mike Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 7.04 and WHIP 1.852 compared to 9.82 and 2.727 for Scott Baker. By the career numbers, Mike Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.