Bill Nelson vs. Mark Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bill Nelson and Mark Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bill Nelson posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.5 vs 6.75) and WHIP (1.308 vs 2.114). Mark Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.35). By the career numbers, Bill Nelson 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.