Ray Herbert vs. John Smoltz — Career Comparison

The numbers give John Smoltz a clear advantage over Ray Herbert across the core pitching metrics. John Smoltz led in strikeout rate (K%+ 124 vs 78), home run suppression (HR9+ 106 vs 85), and run prevention (ERA+ 106 vs 93). Ray Herbert held the edge in walk avoidance (BB%+ 157 vs 91). John Smoltz was the better starter — the numbers make that case clearly.