John Axford vs. Blaine Thomas — Career Comparison

Blaine Thomas built a career as a starting pitcher and John Axford as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Blaine Thomas posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 0 and WHIP 2.143 compared to 3.9 and 1.455 for John Axford. By the career numbers, Blaine Thomas had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.