Willie Smith vs. Carlos Zambrano — Career Comparison

Carlos Zambrano built a career as a starting pitcher and Willie Smith as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Carlos Zambrano posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.66 and WHIP 1.352 compared to 6.31 and 2.026 for Willie Smith. By the career numbers, Carlos Zambrano had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.