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MLB • 12 months ago

Cleveland Indians 2015 Position Preview: Starting Pitchers

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Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Indians 2015 Position Preview Starting Pitchers

Three players in the starting rotation had their jobs at the start of the season. Gavin Floyd's injury made the decision for the fourth and fifth starter more intriguing, as Josh Tomlin battled shoulder soreness and Danny Salazar battled with control. Despite a late decision on the complete starting rotation, the Cleveland Indians have one of the best projected rotations in MLB.

5. Zach McAllister

5. Zach McAllister

Fifth starter is a bit of a misnomer for McAllister. He will start the fourth game of the year, but be sent to the bullpen until roughly Apr. 22. McAllister improved as the spring went on after a couple rough outings to start the Grapefruit League. If he can spot the ball well, McAllister will keep the ball in the park and get around seven K/9. He is easy to root for, so Tribe fans will get behind the new fifth starter.

4. T.J. House

4. T.J. House

T.J. House2 — House will start the fifth game of the season, but he's more entrenched in the starting five than McAllister. House is the only left-hander in the bunch and his spring justifies his selection. He will likely have the least amount of strikeouts in the rotation and will see the ball in play more. The Indians hope to get 160 innings and 10-12 wins out of House.

House will start the fifth game of the season, but he's more entrenched in the starting five than McAllister. House is the only left-hander in the bunch and his spring justifies his selection. He will likely have the least amount of strikeouts in the rotation and will see the ball in play more. The Indians hope to get 160 innings and 10-12 wins out of House.

3. Trevor Bauer

3. Trevor Bauer

Trevor Bauer2 — Although manager Terry Francona would not say it in the early part of spring training, Bauer has been locked into the rotation. He had some shaky moments in spring but got all the work in that the Indians wanted. Still, Bauer could be erratic with some dominant games on the mound and then a few with control issues, but he has been finding the strike zone better lately and hitting 97 mph on the gun.

Although manager Terry Francona would not say it in the early part of spring training, Bauer has been locked into the rotation. He had some shaky moments in spring but got all the work in that the Indians wanted. Still, Bauer could be erratic with some dominant games on the mound and then a few with control issues, but he has been finding the strike zone better lately and hitting 97 mph on the gun.

2. Carlos Carrasco

2. Carlos Carrasco

Carlos Carrasco2 — Expectations are high for Carrasco after a sizzling second half in 2014. With a full year of Carrasco, the Indians could again lead the league in K/9. He pitched less than seven innings in spring partially due to the birth of his daughter. Carrasco has dedicated himself to the weight room and is learning from Corey Kluber. The Indians just hope he continues his post 2014 All-Star Game form.

Expectations are high for Carrasco after a sizzling second half in 2014. With a full year of Carrasco, the Indians could again lead the league in K/9. He pitched less than seven innings in spring partially due to the birth of his daughter. Carrasco has dedicated himself to the weight room and is learning from Corey Kluber. The Indians just hope he continues his post 2014 All-Star Game form.

1. Corey Kluber

1. Corey Kluber

Corey Kluber2 — Kluber is a late developer and now a Cy Young winner. Even a moderate amount of regression puts him in the upper threshold of American League starters. Kluber could approach 10 K/9 with over 200 innings pitched. He does not have to win another Cy Young for this rotation to be one of the best in the American League.

Kluber is a late developer and now a Cy Young winner. Even a moderate amount of regression puts him in the upper threshold of American League starters. Kluber could approach 10 K/9 with over 200 innings pitched. He does not have to win another Cy Young for this rotation to be one of the best in the American League.

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Douglas Smith is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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