Roberto Rivera vs. Al Smith — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Roberto Rivera and Al Smith are fairly close on the surface numbers. Roberto Rivera posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.5 vs 9) and WHIP (1.583 vs 3.000). Al Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.5). By the career numbers, Roberto Rivera 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.