Bill Butland vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Bill Butland built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bill Butland posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.88 and WHIP 1.288 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Bill Butland had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.