John Axford vs. Dale Matthewson — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Axford and Dale Matthewson are fairly close on the surface numbers. Dale Matthewson posted stronger numbers in WHIP (1.328 vs 1.455) and home runs allowed (0.31 per nine innings vs 0.86). John Axford had the advantage in ERA (3.9 vs 4.34). By the career numbers, Dale Matthewson 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.