Victor Alvarez vs. Ed Cole — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Victor Alvarez and Ed Cole are fairly close on the surface numbers. Ed Cole posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.31 vs 7.31) and home runs allowed (0.85 per nine innings vs 1.13). Victor Alvarez had the advantage in WHIP (1.625 vs 1.874). By the career numbers, Ed Cole 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.