Phil Hughes vs. Thomas Lynch — Career Comparison

Phil Hughes built a career as a starting pitcher and Thomas Lynch as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Thomas Lynch posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.57 and WHIP 1.429 compared to 4.52 and 1.324 for Phil Hughes. By the career numbers, Thomas Lynch had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.