Russ Ortiz vs. Merle Settlemire — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Russ Ortiz and Merle Settlemire are fairly close on the surface numbers. Russ Ortiz posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.51 vs 5.47) and WHIP (1.514 vs 1.822). Merle Settlemire had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.22 per nine innings vs 0.97). By the career numbers, Russ Ortiz 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.