Around the AL: K is for Johan

Even with an “uncharacteristic” 13–9 record, Minnesota pitcher Johan Santana is still the league’s best pitcher. He further proved that with a dominating eight-inning performance in the Twins’ 1-0 victory against the Rangers on Sunday. In the game, Santana allowed a mere two hits — both to Sammy Sosa — and struck out an astounding 17 batters, three shy of the major league record of 20. He still surpassed the former Minnesota franchise record of 15, however and recorded the most strikeouts in a single game since Ben Sheets struck out 18 in 2004.

A 17-strikeout performance is never business as usual, but Santana often makes it look that way. He’s struck out 10 or more batters 37 times in his career (168 starts). Since becoming a fulltime starter in 2004, Santana has led the American League in both total Ks and Ks per nine innings each season. Only Baltimore’s Erik Bedard (207) leads Santana (191) at this point in 2007.

Unenviable record
As a side note, Joe Nathan struck out two Rangers in his save of Santana’s gem, bringing the total Rangers strikeout count to 19 for the evening. In accomplishing that, they became the first team in 57 years to strike out 19 times or more three times in the same season. They also did it against Cleveland (4-25) and Oakland (8-6).

Playoff update
Did we ever really think the Yankees wouldn’t make a run at the postseason? They’re the Yankees. They always make a run, right?

Yes, I admit it. I thought they were done with they fell 14.5 games behind the Red Sox in late May. But baseball’s most potent offense keeps churning out runs and an AL East gap that was double digits for most of the summer has been trimmed down to four with 38 games remaining.

Led by MVP candidate Alex Rodriguez and a reenergized pitching staff, the Yankees have reeled off a 27–11 record since the All Star break including four winning streaks of four games or more. Meanwhile, Boston has posted a respectable 21–16 record during that same stretch but suddenly finds its lead obsolete.

On the flip side of the surging Yankees is the team they just defeated in a four-game series. The Detroit Tigers are a lowly 15–23 since the break and are lucky to be only 1.5 games behind the Indians in the AL Central race.

Fireball reliever Joel Zumaya should breath some life into the Tigers’ bullpen now that he’s active again, but the club hasn’t won a series in over a month. They’re now 3.5 games behind Wild Card leader Seattle.

And speaking of Seattle, the Mariners not only lead the Wild Card race but have crawled to within two games of the Angels for the AL West crown after posting a 15–6 record in their last 21 games.

Only a little over a month remains but this season’s pennant races should be a lot more exciting than they were shaping up to be a few months ago. Guess that’s why they play the games.

Decisions, decisions
Baseball is a funny game. The same pitcher that allows one run over nine innings of work can lose a game just as easily as a guy that gives up seven runs in five innings can win it. But then there’s that pesky no decision. If a pitcher’s on his game, it’s a frustrating statistic. If he gives up a big lead early, it’s a welcome relief.

So where are we going with this? Nowhere, really. That’s just an intro to our chart below, which cites the American League pitchers that have been most likely and least likely to earn a decision (win or loss) in their starts this season.

Boston’s Tim Wakefield hasn’t toed the rubber yet this season without notching either a win or loss while three of Baltimore’s starters are in the top five in least likely to earn a decision (Erik Bedard is tied for fourth at 62 percent). That could have a little something to do with their bullpen.

Most likely:
Name                                    Team        Starts    Record    Decision %
1. Tim Wakefield                  Boston            24    14-10    100
2. Jose Contreras                Chicago          22    6-15      95
3. John Lackey                    Los Angeles    25    15-7      88
3. Daisuke Matsuzaka        Boston             25    13-9      88

Least likely:
Name                                    Team        Starts    Record    Decision %
1. Jeremy Guthrie                Baltimore     21    7-4            52
2. Steve Trachsel                Baltimore     23     6-7            57
3. Boof Bonser                     Minnesota    25    5-10          60

Stats as of Aug 20. Minimum 20 starts.

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