Mike Smith vs. Zack Wheeler — Career Comparison

Zack Wheeler built a career as a starting pitcher and Mike Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Zack Wheeler posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.28 and WHIP 1.145 compared to 4.71 and 1.570 for Mike Smith. By the career numbers, Zack Wheeler had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.