Alex Beam vs. Jason Middlebrook — Career Comparison

Jason Middlebrook built a career as a starting pitcher and Alex Beam as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jason Middlebrook posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.33 and WHIP 1.468 compared to 6.5 and 1.444 for Alex Beam. By the career numbers, Jason Middlebrook had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.