Michael Mercado vs. Art Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Michael Mercado and Art Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Art Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (11.57 vs 11.81) and home runs allowed (1.29 per nine innings vs 5.63). Michael Mercado had the advantage in WHIP (2.250 vs 3.000). By the career numbers, Art Smith 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.