Brian O'Connor vs. Murphy Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Brian O'Connor and Murphy Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Murphy Smith posted stronger numbers in WHIP (1.800 vs 1.865) and home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.46). Brian O'Connor had the advantage in ERA (5.11 vs 8.1). By the career numbers, Murphy 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.