Marty Bystrom vs. Darin Downs — Career Comparison

Marty Bystrom 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. Marty Bystrom posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.26 and WHIP 1.428 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, Marty Bystrom had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.