Hayden Birdsong vs. Bill Merritt — Career Comparison

On the career pitching numbers, Bill Merritt posted a stronger line than Hayden Birdsong. Bill Merritt posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.85 vs 4.77) and home runs allowed (0.44 per nine innings vs 1.37). By the career numbers, Bill Merritt 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.