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Cleveland Indians: Previewing the 2017 starting rotation

By Michael Smith

Aug 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (from left), starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28), starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (43) and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) watch in the rain in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (from left), starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28), starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (43) and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) watch in the rain in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning in game five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning in game five of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Trevor Bauer

The wild card of the rotation, in more ways than one.

Trevor Bauer is overflowing with potential, but inconsistency is holding him back from being a top-flight starter for this Indians staff.

He’s also a little wacky off the field. Case in point: him being forced to miss a start in the ALCS due to a drone accident that badly cut a finger on his pitching hand.

Bauer is full of surprises. Hopefully, the biggest surprise he brings is consistency that allows him to take a big step forward in his age-26 season.

Related: Indians opening the season with a healthy starting rotation

That said, he is not having a good spring. It’s hard to put a lot into performance in March, but he has given up five home runs. It’s easy to look past the 4.74 ERA on its own, but the home run number is very high. The Indians hope that won’t continue when the regular season begins next week.

Bauer also had a rough postseason, so expectations are lower for him than they are for Carrasco and Salazar. If those two guys perform, then the weight is lifted off Bauer’s shoulders. If they don’t, the pressure could fall squarely on Bauer.

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