Ted Lilly vs. Mike Smith — Career Comparison

Ted Lilly built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Ted Lilly posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.14 and WHIP 1.273 compared to 4.71 and 1.570 for Mike Smith. By the career numbers, Ted Lilly had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.