Asa Brainard vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Asa Brainard and Al Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Al Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.72 vs 4.4) and WHIP (1.380 vs 1.697). Asa Brainard had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.08 per nine innings vs 0.51). By the career numbers, Al Smith 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.