Scott Barnes vs. John Bates — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Scott Barnes and John Bates are fairly close on the surface numbers. Scott Barnes posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.2 vs 13.5) and WHIP (1.265 vs 2.500). John Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.3). By the career numbers, Scott Barnes 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.