Phil Irwin vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

Phil Irwin 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. Phil Irwin posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 7.27 and WHIP 2.077 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Phil Irwin had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.