Skel Roach vs. James Shields — Career Comparison

James Shields built a career as a starting pitcher and Skel Roach as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Skel Roach posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3 and WHIP 1.556 compared to 4.01 and 1.280 for James Shields. By the career numbers, Skel Roach had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.