Rick Austin vs. Thaddeus Ward — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Rick Austin and Thaddeus Ward are fairly close on the surface numbers. Rick Austin posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.63 vs 6.37) and home runs allowed (1.13 per nine innings vs 1.78). Thaddeus Ward had the advantage in WHIP (1.642 vs 1.721). By the career numbers, Rick Austin had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.