Ed Mayer vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Ed Mayer and Al Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Ed Mayer posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.31 vs 9) and WHIP (1.340 vs 3.000). Al Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.57). By the career numbers, Ed Mayer 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.