Hector Santiago: Streaming Pick for May 2
By Bill Pivetz
Apr 26, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago (53) in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
April was an up-and-down month for me in terms of my streaming picks. I had a great string of pitchers in the middle of the month. I look to build on that heading into May. My first streaming pick is Los Angeles Angels No. 5 starting pitcher Hector Santiago.
Santiago has been a more-than-serviceable pitcher in his four starts this season. After recording a loss in his first start, he won two start and a no decision. He has allowed one earned run in three straight starts. His most recent start against the Texas Rangers, Santiago went 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, a season-high six walks and one earned run.
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For the season, he has a 2.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 22 strikeouts. He does have 12 walks allowed. If he can control his pitches, Santiago could emerge as a top-30 pitching option. With teammate Jered Weaver losing velocity, the Angels need someone to step in the rotation, and Santiago looks to be that guy.
Santiago’s fifth start will be against the San Francisco Giants. The benefit is that he will be on the road. While most pitchers don’t fare well away from home, but Santiago will not be facing a designated hitter, instead he’ll be pitching at the Giants’ pitchers.
He is 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA in Interleague play. That is too small of a sample size to form any opinion on how he will pitch in San Francisco. Regardless, Santiago struggles to pitch longer than six innings. Santiago started 24 games last season and pitched less than six innings in 18 of them. He has just one outing longer than six innings this season.
He is owned in 44.3 percent of ESPN.com leagues. Owners aren’t worried about the low strikeout rate or lack of wins. He’s been added in 39.2 percent of leagues over the last week. I recently picked him up and will be starting him with confidence as my first streaming option for the month.