Bert Cole vs. Bowden Francis — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Bert Cole and Bowden Francis are fairly close on the surface numbers. Bowden Francis posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.87 vs 4.67) and WHIP (1.099 vs 1.593). Bert Cole had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.39 per nine innings vs 1.8). By the career numbers, Bowden Francis 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.