Tanner Roark vs. Rich Thompson — Career Comparison

Tanner Roark built a career as a starting pitcher and Rich Thompson as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Tanner Roark posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.85 and WHIP 1.273 compared to 4.21 and 1.357 for Rich Thompson. By the career numbers, Tanner Roark had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.