Josh Butler vs. Herb Thomas — Career Comparison

Herb Thomas built a career as a starting pitcher and Josh Butler as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Herb Thomas posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 8.08 and WHIP 1.980 compared to 9 and 3.250 for Josh Butler. By the career numbers, Herb Thomas had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.