Willard Mains vs. Bryan Shaw — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Willard Mains and Bryan Shaw are fairly close on the surface numbers. Willard Mains posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.53 vs 3.96) and home runs allowed (0.17 per nine innings vs 0.97). Bryan Shaw had the advantage in WHIP (1.365 vs 1.550). By the career numbers, Willard Mains 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.