Dave Downs vs. Vince Shields — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Dave Downs and Vince Shields are fairly close on the surface numbers. Dave Downs posted stronger numbers in ERA (2.74 vs 3) and home runs allowed (0.39 per nine innings vs 0.75). Vince Shields had the advantage in WHIP (1.083 vs 1.217). 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.