Cleveland Indians: Mike Clevinger has earned a spot in the rotation

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger finished up a great first half of the season Saturday night, and has earned a full-time spot in the rotation.

The perfect recipe for a Cleveland Indians victory over the past year has been the trio of Corey Kluber, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. Swap out Kluber for Mike Clevinger and the recipe proved successful Saturday night.

Clevinger matched up with Justin Verlander and the two had a true duel. Verlander went 6.2 innings allowing one earned run on six hits, while walking four and striking out six. Clevinger went six innings and allowed zero runs on three hits, striking out four and walking just two.

Enter Miller, Allen and some late offense from the Indians against the crumbling Detroit Tigers bullpen and Clevinger picked up his fifth win of the season.

In three starts from May 26 to June 6, Clevinger allowed 12 earned runs in just 15.2 innings. The Indians lost all three games. Since then, he has started five games and allowed just five earned runs in 27 innings. The Indians are 4-1 in that span, with the only loss coming by the score of 2-1.

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The problem for him has been walking batters, but the lack of earned runs as of late looms as a more important mark of how he is doing. Having just two walks Saturday night may also show he has settled down after allowing five in his previous start against the Tigers.

With Danny Salazar potentially getting another shot in the starting rotation, fans can take Clevinger off the list of players who could lose their spot. He has emerged as the third pitcher in this rotation behind Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, and taking him out of the rotation now just wouldn’t make logical sense.

Trevor Bauer has also had his struggles, so the front office has a tough decision to make if it is deemed Salazar is ready to come back.

Next: Indians draft recap

The injuries all over the roster have given younger players opportunities to shine, and Clevinger has taken advantage of the one given to him.