Kelly Downs vs. Specs Ellis — Career Comparison

Looking at the career totals, Kelly Downs and Specs Ellis are fairly close on the surface numbers. Kelly Downs posted stronger numbers in ERA (3.86 vs 5.22) and WHIP (1.389 vs 1.551). Specs Ellis had the advantage in home runs allowed (0.46 per nine innings vs 0.68). By the career numbers, Kelly 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.