Dave Patterson vs. Willie Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Dave Patterson and Willie Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Dave Patterson posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.26 vs 6.31) and WHIP (1.698 vs 2.026). Willie Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.35 per nine innings vs 0.85). By the career numbers, Dave Patterson 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.