Jim Gardner vs. AJ Smith-Shawver — Career Comparison

AJ Smith-Shawver built a career as a starting pitcher and Jim Gardner as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. AJ Smith-Shawver posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.77 and WHIP 1.297 compared to 3.85 and 1.413 for Jim Gardner. By the career numbers, AJ Smith-Shawver had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.