Cole Hamels vs. Jermaine Van Buren — Career Comparison

Cole Hamels built a career as a starting pitcher and Jermaine Van Buren as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Cole Hamels posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.43 and WHIP 1.199 compared to 9 and 2.263 for Jermaine Van Buren. By the career numbers, Cole Hamels had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.