Cleveland Indians: Previewing the 2017 starting rotation

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Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Gene J. Puskar/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

1. Corey Kluber

The ace. The Opening Day starter. The 2014 AL CY Young Award winner. The guy who, I think, will win the AL Cy Young Award in 2017.

Corey Kluber is a strikeout pitcher who has wonderful control of his pitches and knows very well how to use them.

He is coming off a strong 2016 season. He finished third in AL Cy Young Award voting, earning 18 wins, while pitching to a 3.14 ERA. It was his third consecutive season that he struck out over 200 batters, and he became an All-Star for the first time.

Kluber is the workhorse for the Indians’ staff, as he has started over 30 games each of the last three seasons.

The big thing that hurts Kluber is the long ball. Over the past two years, he has given up 44 home runs. That is not a huge concern, since a lot of power pitchers give up a lot of home runs, but if he can find a way to keep the ball in the yard a little bit more often, his numbers will get a lot better very quickly.

2017 is going to be Kluber’s age-31 season, and his blend of experience and skill could provide him with his best season yet. Good timing for an Indians team with very high expectations.

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