Charlie Kerfeld vs. John Smoltz — Career Comparison

John Smoltz built a career as a starting pitcher and Charlie Kerfeld as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Charlie Kerfeld led in home run suppression (HR9+ 170 vs 106), run prevention (ERA+ 116 vs 106), and skill-based run prevention (DICE+ 109 vs 107). John Smoltz held the edge in strikeout rate (K%+ 124 vs 112). Keeping the role difference in mind, the edge still goes to Charlie Kerfeld.