Al Downing vs. Shang Johnson — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Al Downing and Shang Johnson are fairly close on the surface numbers. Al Downing posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.22 vs 4.18) and WHIP (1.283 vs 1.347). Shang Johnson had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.2 per nine innings vs 0.7). By the career numbers, Al Downing 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.