R. Smith vs. Dontrelle Willis — Career Comparison

Dontrelle Willis built a career as a starting pitcher and R. Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dontrelle Willis posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.17 and WHIP 1.453 compared to 9 and 1.800 for R. Smith. By the career numbers, Dontrelle Willis had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.