John Lackey vs. Merle Settlemire — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, John Lackey and Merle Settlemire are fairly close on the surface numbers. John Lackey posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.92 vs 5.47) and WHIP (1.306 vs 1.822). Merle Settlemire had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.22 per nine innings vs 1.01). By the career numbers, John Lackey 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.