MLB Playoffs 2017: Choosing an MVP for every team

Minnesota Twins: Ervin Santana

Ervin Santana turned a seven win season in 2016 into one of the best seasons of his career in 2017. In 33 starts, Santana won 16 games and logged a 3.28 ERA in 211 1/3 innings pitched. In addition to that, Santana tied Corey Kluber with five complete games and three shutouts.

With some very solid numbers that included an ERA+ of 135, Santana earned the second All-Star Game selection of his career.

The 34-year-old Santana has a big league career that spans 13 seasons so it would make sense for him to have an extensive postseason resume. Because Santana has played for some underachieving teams in his career, he has made only eight postseason starts in his career. All of those starts came early in Santana’s career when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Still, the results leave much to be desired.

From 2005-2009, Santana made all of his postseason starts. In those starts, Santana went 2-2 with a 5.56 ERA in 22 2/3 innings pitched.

While those numbers may not reflect the success Santana has had at points in his career, they came a long time ago. It’s for that reason that Twins fans hope Santana can shake off his rough postseason outings and throw up a gem against the Yankees.

With one year and a team option left on his contract, this may be the last time Santana makes it to the postseason. That fact will no doubt help drive Santana to put up his best work so the Twins can advance to face the Indians.