Wandy challenging Santana as NL's top left-hander

Wandy Rodriguez earned his 10th win of the season Tuesday in the Astros' 11-6 victory over the first place St. Louis Cardinals.  (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Wandy Rodriguez spent the past four years trying to live up to his potential. Prior to this season, the 30-year-old left-hander had often been criticized regarding his ability to be a frontline starter.

He emerged as a valuable prospect for the Houston Astros, but staying consistent over the course of the regular season has always been his biggest weakness.

Often in professional sports, most teams grow impatient if an athlete fails to produce.  

Astros general manager Ed Wade, manager Cecil Cooper, as well as former manager Phil Garner never gave up on Rodriguez.

They saw him as a potential sleeper -- someone who can develop into a productive starting pitcher.

High expectations after rookie season

After finishing 10-10 with a 5.53 ERA in 22 starts during his rookie season in 2005, the expectation-level surrounding the talented, young left-hander increased.

He performed well in the World Series, posting a 2.45 ERA in the four losses to the Chicago White Sox. Being surrounded by Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte helped him get his feet wet in the majors. 

Instead of blossoming into a reliable starter, Rodriguez struggled to maintain consistency in the Astros' rotation. He left fastballs up in the zone, fell behind in the count and began nibbling at the corners.  

In 2006, his 5.22 ERA left the organization with no choice but to demoted him to the minors. He received another opportunity when Brandon Backe went down with season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Rodriguez concluded the season 9-10 with a 5.64 ERA, followed by a 9-13 record in 2007. His 18-23 record over a two-year period failed to impress the Astros' organization.

With a substantial amount of money invested in Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Oswalt and Miguel Tejada, Houston was unable to pursue an expensive free-agent starting pitcher to compliment Oswalt in the rotation.

Instead, they looked to fill the rotation with bargain or cost-effective pitchers. Rodriguez was able to bounce back, producing a respectable 9-7 record with 3.54 ERA over 137 1/3 innings in 25 starts last season. 

Time to step up and win

From mechanics to repertoire of pitches, Rodriguez went on a mission not only to be a reliable starter, but to grow into one of the best pitchers in the league. Despite having a breakout 2009 season, nobody ever talks about him on the national circuit. 

In a way, Rodriguez may be the best kept secret in Major League Baseball.   

When discussing the top left-handed starters in baseball, most people mention CC Sabathia, Johan Santana and Cole Hamels. All three of these superstar pitchers share a common bond -- they currently pitch for big market teams. 

Compared to the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, the Astros represent a smaller market team, despite their numerous playoff runs this decade and 2005 World Series appearance. 

Regardless of the lack of national attention, Houston has quietly jumped out to a 4-2 record to start the second half of the season. Since May 31, their 29-17 record ranks second behind the Colorado Rockies for best in the major leagues.

After starting the season with a dismal 19-29 record, the Astros have become the team nobody wants to play.

"We're playing really good right now," Rodriguez said. "The team needed to get back to a .500 record, and we did. We have a real shot at this and everyone knows what has to be done." 

Rodriguez has not lost a decision since June 16 in Arlington. Over his last six starts, he's compiled a 5-0 record, including a no-decision. In Tuesday's win against first-place St. Louis, Rodriguez allowed one run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts in seven innings.

He recorded his 10th victory of the season, tying his career-high in wins.

"I want the ball against the best teams," Rodriguez said. "I've always enjoyed the pressure situations, especially pitching against divisional teams like St. Louis and Chicago"

With Oswalt and Rodriguez, Cooper knows his 1-2 punch can win in the playoffs. For a team to win in the postseason, it's critical to have two frontline starters, combined with a dominant closer.

Oswalt represents the prototypical ace, while closer Jose Valverde led the National League in saves the past two season. Cooper already had two pieces of the puzzle, but now, Rodriguez solidifies the missing ingredient. 

More productive than Santana?

Although other pitchers receive more headlines, Rodriguez may be on the verge of surpassing Santana as the best lefty in the National League.

Santana has 11 wins on the season compared to Rodriguez's 10, but the Astros' No. 2 starter ranks fifth in ERA (2.72), seventh in strikeouts (117) and possesses the highest winning percentage (.625) among NL left-handed starters. 

Both Rodriguez and Santana have the same amount of strikeouts, yet Rodriguez has a better ERA and winning percentage.

Ironically, the biggest difference in both pitchers revolves around salary. After spending eight seasons with the small-market Minnesota Twins, the Mets signed Santana to a six-year, $137.5 million contract prior to last season, while Rodriguez avoided arbitration in the offseason by agreeing to a one-year, $2.6 million deal. 

When comparing both careers, Santana is by far the better of the two. The four-time All-Star and two-time AL Cy Young Award winner led the National League in ERA last season and the American League in wins (2004, 2006), strikeouts (2004, 2005, 2006) and ERA (2004, 2006).  

Rodriguez has yet to make an All-Star appearance or lead the league in any pitching category. He's recorded 73 less career victories than Santana. The majority of big managers would still choose Santana over Rodriguez based on the two pitchers' overall accomplishments.

However, in the present, Rodriguez continues to post better statistics than Santana. Some of this might have to do with the fact that the Astros and Mets are heading in opposite directions in their respective divisions.

One thing's for sure -- Rodriguez learned what it takes to be a successful big league pitcher. If he can stay consistent, the Houston standout could detrone Santana as the league's best left-hander. It won't be long before his name breaks out on the national scene.