Mike Smith vs. Tom Thobe — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Mike Smith and Tom Thobe are fairly close on the surface numbers. Mike Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.71 vs 4.82) and home runs allowed (0.72 per nine innings vs 0.96). Tom Thobe had the advantage in WHIP (1.286 vs 1.570). By the career numbers, Mike Smith had the better of this comparison — though ERA and WHIP alone don't account for era, park factors, or the defenses each pitcher worked behind.