Cleveland Indians Playoff Push Power Rankings

Tribe pitchers following a Game 1 win against the Twins on 9/11/14. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

When the second version of the PPPR was published, the Tribe was about to embark on an unmistakably important stretch of seven games against the Royals and the Tigers. The Indians went 3-3 on that stretch, with the real likelihood they will pick up the fourth win when the suspended Royals game resumes later this month. As this third edition posts, Cleveland heads into Detroit for another matchup against the pesky Tigers. The three games in Detroit will certainly set the tone for the 10 straight road games. Here are the guys that have been the biggest contributors over the last 10 games, and players to look to for momentum this weekend.

Bryan Shaw

(27) gets some love from catcher

Roberto Perez

. Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

10. Bryan Shaw (8) – Shaw drops a few spots for this third installment, but his drop is not necessarily predicated by his performance. Shaw has pitched stellar, allowing just one hit spanning 4.1 innings over the last ten days. He’s notched five strikeouts and allowed no walks. While logging the most relief innings over the last ten days, Tribe starters have really taken some importance away from the bullpen with a number of tremendous starts.

9. Yan Gomes (NR) – At the time of the last PPPR, Gomes was battling with a concussion and had some subpar numbers. However, over the last ten, Yanimal was certainly back. Over the last ten, Yan has a .533 slugging percentage, second only to Santana. He’s had eight hits, including three doubles, a triple, and a home run. His eight RBIs are also second on the club during the pivotal past couple of weeks.

Yan Gomes celebrates his solo home run in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

8. Michael Bourn (4) – Bourn also drops a few spots from the last rankings. Bourn has been invaluable at the top of the lineup, and has contributed a .270/.341/.351 slash over the last 10 days. He’s second on the club in runs over the span, which is of course a key stat for a club’s leadoff hitter. However, he’s also tied for the lead in strikeouts with nine.

7. Jose Ramirez (7) – Ramirez remains on the list because, despite being a rookie, Jose has remained a steady contributor. His three stolen bases lead the club over the last ten days, and he’s hitting a respectable .268. His glove has also been a tremendous benefit for the club, and one needs not look further than the final play of yesterday’s second game for confirmation of such.

6. Danny Salazar (9) – Salazar has jumped up the rankings three spots. In his last two starts, he’s pitched 13.2 innings and has whiffed 13. He has worked himself into more jams than probably any other starter, having a WHIP of 1.317 during those starts. Yet, he continues to work himself out of those trouble innings and give the Tribe quality outings.

5. T.J. House (NR) – House and Carrasco at spots four and five are fairly interchangeable, as their lines over the last ten days are nearly identical. House has pitched 14.0 innings allowing just 11 hits, one run, striking out 15 and walking no one. He, unlike, Carrasco, has allowed a bomb and beaned two batters. Regardless, both sport an incredible 0.64 ERA, tops over the last ten days.

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4. Carlos Carrasco (3) – Carrasco too has pitched 14.0 innings while maintaining a 0.64 ERA. Carrasco has walked one, struck out 18, which leads the club over the last ten days, and only allowed just one earned run. Couple these two September starts with an August in which he went 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings average and Carrasco has been one of the most valuable Indians during the playoff push.

Carlos Santana

(41) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

3. Carlos Santana (NR) – Santana keeps falling off the PPPR and then charging right back up the rankings. He comes in at three this week based upon his recent power surge. Santana’s slash over the last ten days is .314/.429/.771. Respectfully, he’s second in average, second in OBP, and far and above first in slugging. He’s clubbed five home runs and is the only Indian with double digit RBIs (11). His patience at the plate is still impressive, logging seven walks to just four strikeouts. It has been an up and down year for Santana, not just during playoff push, but it goes without saying the Tribe needs more of this Santana, especially this weekend in Detroit.

2. Michael Brantley (2) – Brantley regained his All-Star form over the last ten games, batting an impressive .405. He’s scored five runs, knocked in six, and stole two bases. He’s also displayed great discipline, walking five times to just three strikeouts. Brantley remains the Tribe’s offensive catalyst and overall MVP.

1. Corey Kluber (1) – Kluber remains on top, and his season stats keep have kept him in the Cy Young conversation. Over the last ten games, Kluber has logged more innings than any pitcher on the club, 17.1 IP, and has struck out an impressive 15. He walked no one, allowed no home runs, and has only allowed two earned runs for a 1.04 ERA. Kluber remains the MVP on the season and during this playoff push.

Missing the cut this week: Cody Allen (recorded a number of saves, but really shaky), Jason Kipnis (the fan favorite continues to fall), David Murphy (has not received substantial time but has made some big contributions), Trevor Bauer (he’s too good not to be on this list, but he must avoid the big innings)

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber delivers in the first inning against the Twins. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Indians Playoff Push Power Rankings – 3rd Edition

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