Is the N.L. Really That Much Weaker Than the A.L.?

John Smoltz, undervalued by the Braves after his latest surgery, signs with the Red Sox.  After making a late debut, Smoltz goes 2-5, pitches 40 innings, strikes out only 33 batters, gives up eight home runs, and posts an 8.32 ERA, his highest ever for a 40 inning stint.  Smoltz is released, stating he does not want to go to the bull pen, and is signed by St. Louis.  In his first two starts with the Cardinals, Smoltz pitches 11 innings, giving up one run.  He allows no jacks in those 11 innings, but instead strikes out 15 batters. Brad Penny, also dismal in Boston ( 7-8, 5.61 ERA, WHIP 1.534), also not interested in working the Boston pen, ends up with the Giants.  In his first start, against arguably the best hitting team in the majors—Philadelphia—Penny pitches eight shut-out innings at Citizen's Bank Park, giving up five hits and only one walk. Cliff Lee is traded by the floundering Cleveland Indians.  He was their best pitcher thi...