Jimmy Nelson vs. Ed Smith — Career Comparison

On the career pitching numbers, Ed Smith posted a stronger line than Jimmy Nelson. Ed Smith posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.72 vs 4.12) and home runs allowed (0.17 per nine innings vs 0.94). By the career numbers, Ed 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.