Ted Lilly vs. Jeff Sparks — Career Comparison

Ted Lilly built a career as a starting pitcher and Jeff Sparks 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 4.15 and 1.681 for Jeff Sparks. By the career numbers, Ted Lilly had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.