Ben McDonald vs. Jose Mercedes — Career Comparison

The numbers give Ben McDonald a clear advantage over Jose Mercedes across the core pitching metrics. Ben McDonald led in strikeout rate (K%+ 105 vs 82), walk avoidance (BB%+ 113 vs 99), and run prevention (ERA+ 119 vs 108). Jose Mercedes held the edge in home run suppression (HR9+ 111 vs 105). Ben McDonald was the better starter — the numbers make that case clearly.