Dave Downs vs. Sam McMackin — Career Comparison

Dave Downs built a career as a starting pitcher and Sam McMackin as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Sam McMackin posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.38 and WHIP 1.235 compared to 2.74 and 1.217 for Dave Downs. By the career numbers, Sam McMackin had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.