Ed Pierce vs. Barry Zito — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Ed Pierce and Barry Zito are fairly close on the surface numbers. Barry Zito posted stronger numbers in WHIP (1.357 vs 2.438) and home runs allowed (0.98 per nine innings vs 1.69). Ed Pierce had the advantage in ERA (3.38 vs 4.04). By the career numbers, Barry Zito 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.