Cleveland Indians: 3 things to address if the Tribe want to win AL Central

Find a fifth starter

Entering the season it seemed like the Cleveland Indians had three spots in the starting rotation locked up with Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac. Triston McKenzie was also a favorite to stay in Cleveland for the duration of the season, but the fifth spot was up in the air. After Logan Allen was given the first chance and then sent down, the position is now even more in question.

Sam Hentges is the one being called the fifth starter, but he’s totaled just nine innings all year and has followed an “opener,” serving as a reliever that enters in the second or third inning. That leaves a big gap on the roster to figure out if the Tribe want to take the division.

Like first base, we’ve talked about ways Cleveland can address the fifth starter in the rotation. At this point in the season, there are few players on the trade block and even fewer on the free agent market. That means we might just have to wait for the right player in-house to emerge for this spot.

Once the postseason hits, the Tribe will really only need four starters. If they trust Bieber, Civale, Plesac and McKenzie for those roles, then a fifth won’t be a huge need. However, getting to the postseason is another story. Hentges might be the answer, but if not then other options will need to be explored if a division title is the team’s goal.