Ed Hovlik vs. Dave Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Ed Hovlik and Dave Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Dave Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.67 vs 3.21) and WHIP (1.294 vs 1.663). Ed Hovlik had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.38). By the career numbers, Dave 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.