Brian Barkley vs. Erik Bedard — Career Comparison

Erik Bedard built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Barkley as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Erik Bedard posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.99 and WHIP 1.365 compared to 9.82 and 2.364 for Brian Barkley. By the career numbers, Erik Bedard had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.