Mark Melancon vs. Mark Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Mark Melancon and Mark Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Mark Melancon posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.94 vs 6.75) and WHIP (1.200 vs 2.114). Mark Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.54). By the career numbers, Mark Melancon 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.