Brian Smith vs. Don Sutton — Career Comparison

Don Sutton 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. Don Sutton posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.26 and WHIP 1.162 compared to 10.38 and 1.846 for Brian Smith. By the career numbers, Don Sutton had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.