Akinori Otsuka vs. Merle Settlemire — Career Comparison

Merle Settlemire built a career as a starting pitcher and Akinori Otsuka as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Akinori Otsuka posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.44 and WHIP 1.228 compared to 5.47 and 1.822 for Merle Settlemire. By the career numbers, Akinori Otsuka had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.