Les Backman vs. Jimmy Nelson — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Les Backman and Jimmy Nelson are fairly close on the surface numbers. Les Backman posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.61 vs 4.12) and home runs allowed (0.18 per nine innings vs 0.94). Jimmy Nelson had the advantage in WHIP (1.365 vs 1.453). By the career numbers, Les Backman 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.