Clarke Schmidt vs. Mike Timlin — Career Comparison

Clarke Schmidt built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Timlin as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mike Timlin posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.63 and WHIP 1.343 compared to 3.82 and 1.276 for Clarke Schmidt. By the career numbers, Mike Timlin had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.