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10 struggling MLB stars poised for a second half breakout

By Connor Muldowney

Jul 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder Robinson Cano (22) reacts after flying out to deep right field against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder Robinson Cano (22) reacts after flying out to deep right field against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) underhands the ball to first to get Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (not pictured) out in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) underhands the ball to first to get Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (not pictured) out in the sixth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

63. . SP. Detroit Tigers. Anibal Sanchez. 9. player

Anibal Sanchez hasn’t finished a season with an ERA over 4.00 since he was a baby-faced pitcher for the former Florida Marlins, now Miami Marlins, in 2008 — his third year in the league. At that point, he had yet to pitch a full season in the big leagues, so his ERA was from a small sample size.

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    • Still relatively young and lively for a pitcher at the age of 31, Sanchez was expected to be the Tigers’ No. 2 or No. 3 pitcher after losing Rick Porcello via trade, Max Scherzer in free agency and Justin Verlander due to injury this year.

    With Verlander back, and struggling, Sanchez is still looked at as the staff’s second-best pitcher despite his early-season struggles. Just two years ago, Anibal was the American League’s ERA champion with a 2.57 mark in 29 starts, but he has fallen off quite a bit this year.

    Sanchez currently has a 4.63 ERA with an 8-7 record and 106 strikeouts. He has shown flashes of his old self — such as taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning during a July 3 start.

    It’s only a matter of time before Sanchez shows just why he is considered a better pitcher than Justin Verlander at this point in his career and why he has been as reliable as they come for the past six years.

    Next: 8. Julio Teheran, SP, Braves

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