Andrew Alvarez vs. Ed Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Andrew Alvarez and Ed Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Andrew Alvarez posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.31 vs 3.72) and WHIP (1.114 vs 1.332). Ed Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.17 per nine innings vs 0.39). By the career numbers, Andrew Alvarez 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.