Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Dale Thayer — Career Comparison

Daisuke Matsuzaka built a career as a starting pitcher and Dale Thayer as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Daisuke Matsuzaka led in home run suppression (HR9+ 130 vs 91), strikeout rate (K%+ 131 vs 95), and skill-based run prevention (DICE+ 107 vs 99). Dale Thayer held the edge in walk avoidance (BB%+ 132 vs 73). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Daisuke Matsuzaka.