Jason Rakers vs. Pete Smith — Career Comparison

Pete Smith built a career as a starting pitcher and Jason Rakers as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Pete Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 6.75 and WHIP 1.500 compared to 8.76 and 1.865 for Jason Rakers. By the career numbers, Pete Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.