Ted Lilly vs. Jeff Patterson — Career Comparison

Ted Lilly built a career as a starting pitcher and Jeff Patterson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jeff Patterson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.7 and WHIP 1.800 compared to 4.14 and 1.273 for Ted Lilly. By the career numbers, Jeff Patterson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.