Jim Mertz vs. Bill Williams — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Jim Mertz and Bill Williams are fairly close on the surface numbers. Jim Mertz posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.63 vs 5.06) and home runs allowed (0.54 per nine innings vs 1.69). Bill Williams had the advantage in WHIP (1.313 vs 1.431). By the career numbers, Jim Mertz 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.