John Axford vs. Willie Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Axford and Willie Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. John Axford posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.9 vs 6.31) and WHIP (1.455 vs 2.026). Willie Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.35 per nine innings vs 0.86). By the career numbers, John Axford 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.