Robbie Erlin vs. Bob Patterson — Career Comparison

Robbie Erlin built a career as a starting pitcher and Bob Patterson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Bob Patterson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.08 and WHIP 1.356 compared to 4.87 and 1.297 for Robbie Erlin. By the career numbers, Bob Patterson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.