Josh Butler vs. Matt Shoemaker — Career Comparison

Matt Shoemaker built a career as a starting pitcher and Josh Butler as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Matt Shoemaker posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.24 and WHIP 1.231 compared to 9 and 3.250 for Josh Butler. By the career numbers, Matt Shoemaker had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.