Dave Downs vs. Stover McIlwain — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Dave Downs and Stover McIlwain are fairly close on the surface numbers. Dave Downs posted stronger numbers in WHIP (1.217 vs 1.400) and home runs allowed (0.39 per nine innings vs 1.8). Stover McIlwain had the advantage in ERA (1.8 vs 2.74). By the career numbers, Dave Downs 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.