Steve Avery vs. Les Backman — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Steve Avery and Les Backman are fairly close on the surface numbers. Les Backman posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.61 vs 4.19) and home runs allowed (0.18 per nine innings vs 0.86). Steve Avery had the advantage in WHIP (1.367 vs 1.453). By the career numbers, Les Backman 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.