Mike Smith vs. Brian Van Belle — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Mike Smith and Brian Van Belle are fairly close on the surface numbers. Brian Van Belle posted stronger numbers in ERA (5.4 vs 8.22) and WHIP (1.560 vs 2.000). Mike Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (1.96 per nine innings vs 2.16). By the career numbers, Brian Van Belle 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.