Dallas Braden vs. Darin Downs — Career Comparison

Dallas Braden built a career as a starting pitcher and Darin Downs as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Dallas Braden posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.16 and WHIP 1.335 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, Dallas Braden had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.