Darin Downs vs. Jim Mertz — Career Comparison

Jim Mertz built a career as a starting pitcher and Darin Downs as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Jim Mertz posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.63 and WHIP 1.431 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, Jim Mertz had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.