Travis Blackley vs. Ryan Madson — Career Comparison

Travis Blackley built a career as a starting pitcher and Ryan Madson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ryan Madson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.48 and WHIP 1.292 compared to 5.23 and 1.427 for Travis Blackley. By the career numbers, Ryan Madson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.