Jim Middleton vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Jim Middleton and Al Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Jim Middleton posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.51 vs 9) and WHIP (1.497 vs 3.000). Al Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.34). By the career numbers, Jim Middleton 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.