Dave Downs vs. Steve Shifflett — Career Comparison

Dave Downs built a career as a starting pitcher and Steve Shifflett as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Steve Shifflett posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 2.6 and WHIP 1.500 compared to 2.74 and 1.217 for Dave Downs. By the career numbers, Steve Shifflett had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.