Johan Santana is the most notable pitcher on the New York Mets and one of the most dangerous in all of baseball. However, his stats alone don't echo that sentiment.
With the surge in Mike Pelfrey's performance this season, Santana isn't seeming much like the ace of the staff anymore. More importantly, the team's offense is not supporting Johan like the ace that he is.
In 13 starts this season, Santana has only factored in the decision seven times and has only four wins, tied with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey for third on the team in wins. In nine of Santana's starts, he has given up two runs or less. The Mets however, are just 5-4 in those starts.
His 2.96 ERA does not seem very Johan-like, but factor in his lone bad start. On May 2 against the Phillies, Santana gave up 10 earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Wiping that start off the board, his adjusted ERA stands at an impressive 1.99. That number would be good enough for fifth in the National League right now.
It isn't Johan's pitching falling off, though. It has been the Mets' lethargic offense that has hurt Johan Santana this season
The Mets' offense hasn't scored runs for Santana, averaging just over three runs per game on days that their ace is pitching. The team scored seven runs for Santana on Opening Day against the Florida Marlins. The Mets have not scored that many runs for Johan since, and have only scored more than five runs in support of Santana once more this season.
In five of his starts of this season, Santana has not given up any earned runs. The Mets have won just two of those games, both of them in the month of April. In fact, after going 4-1 in games started by Santana in April, the Mets have gone just 2-6 since when Johan takes the mound.
Tonight, Santana starts as the Mets take on the Cleveland Indians, one of the worst teams in baseball. However, the Mets offense collides against Justin Masterson, who has been masterful in his last two starts. Expect yet another pitcher's duel as Santana has frequently faced the best and/or hottest pitchers that his opponent can offer.
Santana is set to make $21 million this season and is under contract until 2013, with a club option in 2014. Current projections give Santana just 10 wins for this season, the lowest amount since 2002, when Johan was still in Minnesota and not used as a full-time starter.
This season especially, critics have wondered if Johan Santana is having second thoughts about joining the Mets and if pitching for New York has been the most beneficial for him. Santana is only 33-19 as a Met in his third season in New York.
With no playoff appearances in the first two seasons, could Johan's patience be wearing thin? This time next season, will Johan Santana be the next high-profile pitcher looking for a new address?
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