Michael Mercado vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Michael Mercado built a career as a starting pitcher and Al Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Al Smith posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 9 and WHIP 3.000 compared to 11.81 and 2.250 for Michael Mercado. By the career numbers, Al Smith had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.