Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Steven Shell — Career Comparison

Daisuke Matsuzaka built a career as a starting pitcher and Steven Shell as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Steven Shell posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.45 and WHIP 1.127 compared to 4.45 and 1.413 for Daisuke Matsuzaka. By the career numbers, Steven Shell had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.