Brett Merriman vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Brett Merriman and Al Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Brett Merriman posted stronger numbers in ERA (8.39 vs 9) and WHIP (2.114 vs 3.000). Al Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.61). By the career numbers, Brett Merriman 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.