Judgment call

Sporting News, The, August 5, 2005 by Roger Kuznia

On the docket: Which breakout pitcher is the better keeper, White Sox righthander Jon Garland or Nationals righthander John Patterson?

Arguments: Garland leads the majors with 15 wins and is in the top five in ERA in the A.L. Patterson has not allowed more than four runs in any of his 17 starts, and he has held his opponent scoreless in four outings. His ERA is among the majors' 10 best.

Verdict: Patterson. Though he has been a hard-luck starter all year, getting no-decisions in 11 of his 17 starts, Patterson has better stuff than Garland. Patterson's ERA is lower, his strikeout total is higher, and he plays in a pitcher-friendly home ballpark.