Les Backman vs. Bob Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Les Backman and Bob Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Les Backman posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.61 vs 3.94) and home runs allowed (0.18 per nine innings vs 0.53). Bob Smith had the advantage in WHIP (1.399 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.