Branden Kline vs. Herbert Smith — Career Comparison

Herbert Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Branden Kline as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Branden Kline posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.48 and WHIP 1.478 compared to 6.1 and 1.548 for Herbert Smith. By the career numbers, Branden Kline had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.