James Shields vs. Brian Smith — Career Comparison

James Shields built a career as a starting pitcher and Brian Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. James Shields posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.01 and WHIP 1.280 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, James Shields had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.