Jeff Patterson vs. Willie Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Jeff Patterson and Willie Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Jeff Patterson posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.7 vs 6.31) and WHIP (1.800 vs 2.026). Willie Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.35 per nine innings vs 2.7). By the career numbers, Jeff 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.