Brian Barkley vs. Jon Lester — Career Comparison

Jon Lester 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. Jon Lester posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.66 and WHIP 1.283 compared to 9.82 and 2.364 for Brian Barkley. By the career numbers, Jon Lester had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.