Mark Prior vs. Mike Rowland — Career Comparison

Mark Prior built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Rowland as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mike Rowland posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.74 and WHIP 1.195 compared to 3.51 and 1.240 for Mark Prior. By the career numbers, Mike Rowland had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.