Mel Nelson vs. Matt Palmer — Career Comparison

Matt Palmer built a career as a starting pitcher and Mel Nelson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mel Nelson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.4 and WHIP 1.526 compared to 4.56 and 1.505 for Matt Palmer. By the career numbers, Mel Nelson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.