Bill Butland vs. Steve Chitren — Career Comparison

Bill Butland built a career as a starting pitcher and Steve Chitren as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Steve Chitren posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.58 and WHIP 1.359 compared to 3.88 and 1.288 for Bill Butland. By the career numbers, Steve Chitren had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.