Asa Brainard vs. J. P. Howell — Career Comparison

Asa Brainard built a career as a starting pitcher and J. P. Howell as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. J. P. Howell posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.83 and WHIP 1.364 compared to 4.4 and 1.697 for Asa Brainard. By the career numbers, J. P. Howell had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.