Orange County Register

Angels right-hander Ervin Santana (who will make his next start Wednesday at home against the Yankees) has been having a season that merits Cy Young consideration.

It’s a crowded field led by Indians left-hander Cliff Lee and Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay. But Santana is fifth in the American League in ERA (3.23) and innings pitched (192), sixth in opponent’s batting average (.233) and second in strikeouts (191, 10 behind Toronto’s A.J. Burnett). 

Santana has been remarkably consistent, starting the season 6-0 and now going 4-0 in seven starts since the end of July. He has had at least seven strikeouts in each of those seven starts — the longest single-season streak by an Angels pitcher since 1978 when Nolan Ryan also had at least seven strikeouts in seven consecutive starts.

Mark Teixeira isn’t surprised. Teixeira is familiar with the challenge facing Santana presents from his days with the Texas Rangers and thinks Santana is throwing harder and pitching better than ever this season.

“This year, I think his velocity being up helps and that slider comes out of the same arm slot,” Teixeira said. “So you get ready for 96 (mph fastball) and you get that slider that dips into the dirt. You got no chance.”

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