James McDonald vs. Jermaine Van Buren — Career Comparison

James McDonald built a career as a starting pitcher and Jermaine Van Buren as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. James McDonald posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.2 and WHIP 1.442 compared to 9 and 2.263 for Jermaine Van Buren. By the career numbers, James McDonald had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.