Ervin Santana: So Far, So Good

[Grounded Polo]

Ervin has started out the season nicely so far. His first start was on the road and he got the win on 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Last night, his second start was against Cleveland, a team that has completely destroyed him for a 7.59 ERA and given him 5 losses in 5 starts. He went another 6 innings with 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts and left in the position to win.

It looks like he is stepping it up with Lackey out and Escobar likely gone for the season. Hopefully he can come closer to his '06 campaign and provide solid ratios, over a dozen wins, and around 150 k's which would be a nice value considering he was just a flier pick this season.

[freeling_prideful]

Yeah I picked him up in free agency but haven't started him thus far. I was particularly scared of starting him against Cleveland giving his career numbers and the leftie-stacked lineup (Sizemore, Hafner and VMart switches).

Now I'm faced w/ the decision for next week...he has 2 starts, but one of them is against Texas at Arlington and I'm almost sure he'll get stung. Hamilton, Blalock could definitely hurt him and his career numbers against the rangers are terrible. Obviously I'd be comfortable starting him against only Seattle at home, but I don't have that option...

[The Artful Dodger]

Ervin is usually a fairly good bet pitching at home and at night. It was nice to see him pitch well away at Minnesota last week, but he'll be tested at Arlington and against the Texas Rangers, a ballpark where he's been rather shaky pitching in.

[BJSFAN123]

I picked him up after he had a nice ST, and so far I'm glad I did. Pitched well on the road, and pitched well against a team that he had like a 8 era against (Cleveland)

What's even crazier is I started him both times..

Anyone else surprised at how well the LAA rotation has been doing without Lackey/Escobar?

[Grounded Polo]

I only started him against Cleveland just because their offense hasn't really gotten it together yet. If they were in sync, I definitely would have sat him. I haven't really decided on whether or not to start him at Arlington. I may do it because it's on Monday and if he gets shelled, I'll have the whole week to make up for it. I usually start guys until they burn me. I definitely want to start him at home against Seattle and feel fortunate that his rotation spot skips over Boston at Fenway.

[pangbones]

I picked him up after he had a nice ST, and so far I'm glad I did. Pitched well on the road, and pitched well against a team that he had like a 8 era against (Cleveland)

What's even crazier is I started him both times..

Anyone else surprised at how well the LAA rotation has been doing without Lackey/Escobar?

I grabbed him late, in a deep league, and have been very happy thus far. I've gotten great value from him so far, and he should have had the win last night!!

I'm more surprised by how bad the LAA bullpen has been. Injuries aside, they haven't been pitching all that well.