Jim Mertz vs. Erik Swanson — Career Comparison

Jim Mertz built a career as a starting pitcher and Erik Swanson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Erik Swanson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.2 and WHIP 1.154 compared to 4.63 and 1.431 for Jim Mertz. By the career numbers, Erik Swanson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.