R. Smith vs. John Sowders — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, R. Smith and John Sowders are fairly close on the surface numbers. John Sowders posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.29 vs 9) and WHIP (1.698 vs 1.800). R. Smith had the advantage in home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 0.22). By the career numbers, John Sowders 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.