Frank Bates vs. Mark Mercer — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Frank Bates and Mark Mercer are fairly close on the surface numbers. Mark Mercer posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.7 vs 6.33) and WHIP (1.826 vs 2.082). Frank Bates had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.28 per nine innings vs 1.17). By the career numbers, Mark Mercer 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.