Five Story Lines to Watch for the Rest of 2014

Sep 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) receives congratulations from first baseman Carlos Santana (41) after scoring in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off a tragic sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers, most fans have probably given up their hopes of seeing the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs this year.  Yet whether or not their playoff hopes remain in tact, there is another aspect of baseball that makes it interesting to watch:  the story lines.  Here are a few stories that can provide fans that boost of excitement they’re seeking when they watch Indians baseball.

Sep 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) hits an RBI double in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-6. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Santana and the 30 Homer Plateau

Santana has already tied his career high in homers with 27 on the year.  In doing so, he tied his own record for the most home runs by a switch hitter by a Cleveland Indian in a single season.  But can he take his power to the next level?  After being mired in a terrible slump for the first half of the season, Santana has enjoyed somewhat of a breakout second half.  Grady Sizemore was the last Cleveland Indian to hit 30 home runs, doing so back in 2008.  Can Santana break the drought with a hot stretch in the last two weeks?

Sep 11, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) delivers in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Kluber‘s Strikeout Total

With roughly three starts left this season, the Tribe’s newly-emerged ace has struck out 230 batters; the most in a single season for an Indians pitcher since Gaylord Perry in 1973.  In fact, there have been only 15 seasons in Tribe history in which a pitcher struck out more batters than Kluber has this year.  Of those 15, only four took place after the mound was lowered following the 1968 season.  How high can Kluber climb up this list?  Tenth place all-time is Bob Feller‘s 1939 season with 246 strikeouts.  Can Kluber have a top ten all-time season for the Indians in the strikeouts category?  Can he catch Luis Tiant at sixth place with 264?

There are currently only four Indians to have struck out 250 batters in a season.  Those names include Sam McDowell, Luis Tiant, Herb Score and the legendary Bob Feller.  Can Kluber become the fifth?

We’ll have to keep watching to find out.

Sep 12, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Carrasco‘s Renaissance

Despite being nicked up a bit against the Tigers, Carrasco has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since the beginning of August.  Can he bounce back from his first outing of more than one run since his return?  Do we need to worry about fatigue?  Will he get his complete game shutout?  There are many reasons to keep a close eye on Carrasco down the stretch.

Aug 20, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher T.J. House (58) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Emergence of TJ House

Amongst a four young starting pitchers with top-of-the-rotation potential, House’s feats have gone largely unnoticed.  When people talk about the exciting future of the Tribe’s rotation, the names Kluber, Carrasco, Salazar and Bauer are often mentioned without a fifth name in the mix.  But over his past three starts, House has gone seven innings per start and given up two runs combined over those 21 innings.  Normally that strikes up a much bigger conversation that it has so far, but again, the attention is on the one through four starters right now.

House is a left-handed sinkerballer without one dominant wipeout pitch, but a fantastic work ethic and excellent command.  While he may never be an ace, he certainly has potential to stick in the major leagues.  It’ll be fun to keep an eye on him throughout the remainder of the season.  If he can prove that his past three starts are more than an extended fluke, maybe fans will start to take more notice.