Frank Bates vs. Brandon McCarthy — Career Comparison

Brandon McCarthy built a career as a starting pitcher and Frank Bates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Brandon McCarthy posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.2 and WHIP 1.317 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Brandon McCarthy had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.