Mike Smith vs. Lee Wade — Career Comparison

Lee Wade built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Lee Wade posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.77 and WHIP 1.309 compared to 4.71 and 1.570 for Mike Smith. By the career numbers, Lee Wade had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.