Rex Smith vs. Jake Thies — Career Comparison

Jake Thies built a career as a starting pitcher and Rex Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jake Thies posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.9 and WHIP 1.328 compared to 5.5 and 2.111 for Rex Smith. By the career numbers, Jake Thies had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.