Bowden Francis vs. AJ Smith-Shawver — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bowden Francis and AJ Smith-Shawver are fairly close on the surface numbers. AJ Smith-Shawver posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.77 vs 3.87) and home runs allowed (1.34 per nine innings vs 1.8). Bowden Francis had the advantage in WHIP (1.099 vs 1.297). By the career numbers, AJ Smith-Shawver 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.