John Smoltz vs. Blake Taylor — Career Comparison

John Smoltz built a career as a starting pitcher and Blake Taylor as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Blake Taylor posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.06 and WHIP 1.424 compared to 3.33 and 1.200 for John Smoltz. By the career numbers, Blake Taylor had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.