Can Hector Santiago keep up the pace and be the reliable number two he has been so far in 2017?
Hector Santiago has been better than advertised for the Twins so far in 2017. In seven starts, Santiago has put together a strong 4-1 record to go along with a 2.76 ERA in 42.1 innings. He will take the mound Sunday afternoon against a struggling Trevor Bauer.
Santiago picked up a win in his last start, allowing two runs in six innings against the Chicago White Sox. He struck out six, but did walk five. In his last three starts, he is 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA to go along with 14 strikeouts. He has a chance to keep up the pace this weekend. It helps to be pitching against Bauer, who has an ERA over eight in his last three starts.
Santiago is having a career year in 2017, and he has a strangle hold on the number two spot in the rotation. A pitching staff looking to compete needs to have more than one reliable starter, and Santiago is doing his part to make sure the Twins have that.
Dealing with a tough Indians lineup can help prove he can keep that a reality. If the Twins are in line to get swept, he can be the stopper. If they are in line to win or sweep the series, he is a good guy to have on the hill. We will see how worthy he is Sunday afternoon.