There were more than a few people who decided to peg the Cleveland Indians as a contender this season. And, while there were likely a handful of reasons why someone would label the Tribe as a team to watch this summer, one of the biggest was the club’s starting rotation.
Obviously, the team has Corey Kluber – last year’s Cy Young Award winner – leading the way. Additionally, Carlos Carrasco’s phenomenal performance in the back half of the 2014 season, along with the buzz surrounding Trevor Bauer, had many believing the Indians boasted one of the better rotations in the MLB.
Now, expectations are one thing, living up to them is another. Though Kluber certainly seemed like a sure thing this year, Carrasco and Bauer couldn’t be labeled as such just yet. One of the things noted in my season preview of the team was how important it was for Carrasco and Bauer to avoid the mistakes which have plagued each of them more than a few times in their Cleveland careers.
Though it’s clearly too soon to make any definite claims just three games into the year, early returns seem to prove the Indians’ top three pitchers are worth keeping an eye on this season.
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