Post by Greg on Jul 27, 2009 20:20:10 GMT -5
metroareasports.blogspot.com/2009/07/second-half-stud.html
With the Mets in must-win mode throughout the rest of the season and despite all the negatives they can see looking in the mirror, there is one thing that they can rest their head upon; that is the history of Johan Santana.
While Johan is known across the league as one of the games best pitchers, his success in the first half of his baseball seasons are only previews to how outstanding he really is, as he shows in the second-half of his seasons. With his ERA at 2.70 and winning percentage at .776, highest among active pitchers, his past success should hopefully help his struggling ball club.
Posting a 60-17 record after the All-Star break (including Saturday's win), Santana's past post-All-Star break success is something manager Jerry Manuel and the rest of the organization hopes won't stop anytime soon. With wins needing to come as often as possible, a win every time their ace takes the mound may seam a lot to ask for, but it's a possibility relating to his past success.
During his first full season with New York in 2008, Santana was phenomenal during his games after the All-Star break. He won eight of his 15 starts and his team won four of his seven no-decisions. Oh, and by the way, Santana did not loose one game in the second half of last year.
The question everyone is asking is 'Can he repeat his second-half dominance?'. Well, he pitched seven dominant innings against the Braves on Saturday night to pick up his 11th win on the year during his first start after the break, so that is a good sign. Prior to the All-Star break, he had split decisions, getting blown out by the Phillies and then pitching seven scoreless-innings against the Dodgers at Citi Field a week later.
The All-Star break has passed now, and Johan Santana has one under his belt already, 1-0. The Mets are praying that history will repeat itself, and their main man will help them in their chase of the Phillies or the N.L. Wildcard.
With the Mets in must-win mode throughout the rest of the season and despite all the negatives they can see looking in the mirror, there is one thing that they can rest their head upon; that is the history of Johan Santana.
While Johan is known across the league as one of the games best pitchers, his success in the first half of his baseball seasons are only previews to how outstanding he really is, as he shows in the second-half of his seasons. With his ERA at 2.70 and winning percentage at .776, highest among active pitchers, his past success should hopefully help his struggling ball club.
Posting a 60-17 record after the All-Star break (including Saturday's win), Santana's past post-All-Star break success is something manager Jerry Manuel and the rest of the organization hopes won't stop anytime soon. With wins needing to come as often as possible, a win every time their ace takes the mound may seam a lot to ask for, but it's a possibility relating to his past success.
During his first full season with New York in 2008, Santana was phenomenal during his games after the All-Star break. He won eight of his 15 starts and his team won four of his seven no-decisions. Oh, and by the way, Santana did not loose one game in the second half of last year.
The question everyone is asking is 'Can he repeat his second-half dominance?'. Well, he pitched seven dominant innings against the Braves on Saturday night to pick up his 11th win on the year during his first start after the break, so that is a good sign. Prior to the All-Star break, he had split decisions, getting blown out by the Phillies and then pitching seven scoreless-innings against the Dodgers at Citi Field a week later.
The All-Star break has passed now, and Johan Santana has one under his belt already, 1-0. The Mets are praying that history will repeat itself, and their main man will help them in their chase of the Phillies or the N.L. Wildcard.