Rich Harden vs. Dave Smith — Career Comparison

Rich Harden built a career as a starting pitcher and Dave Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rich Harden led in strikeout rate (K%+ 159 vs 89), run prevention (ERA+ 154 vs 123), and skill-based run prevention (DICE+ 131 vs 104). Dave Smith held the edge in home run suppression (HR9+ 198 vs 151). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Rich Harden.