A. J. Burnett vs. Darin Downs — Career Comparison

A. J. Burnett 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. A. J. Burnett posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.99 and WHIP 1.338 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, A. J. Burnett had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.