Brandon Backe vs. Bill Knowlton — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Brandon Backe and Bill Knowlton are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bill Knowlton posted stronger numbers in ERA (4.76 vs 5.23) and home runs allowed (0 per nine innings vs 1.49). Brandon Backe had the advantage in WHIP (1.563 vs 2.118). By the career numbers, Bill Knowlton 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.