Cleveland Indians: 3 Tribe players snubbed from the All-Star roster

Cleveland Indians All-Star Snub #2: James Karinchak

Moving from the starting rotation to the bullpen, the Cleveland Indians had a pair of backend relievers that could have easily been among those on the All-Star roster for the American League. While the Tribe don’t have a clear cut closer, both that are in the mix have performed well and could make a case to be included on the roster.

Of Cleveland’s 22 saves this season, James Karinchak has logged nine of them. He’s had 10 save opportunities, giving him a 90% success rate in save situations. Totaling 37.1 innings this season, Karinchak has struck out an impressive 64 batters, accounting for 57% of the outs recorded while he’s been on the mound,

The knock against Karinchak is that he has walked 22, but even with that he still has a WHIP below 1.00 at 0.99. Of pitchers with at least 10 save opportunities, only 12 have a WHIP below that mark.

Karinchak’s ERA is also at 2.41 and while that might seem high for a closer, it’s actually pretty solid. Of the 25 pitchers in the MLB with 10 save opportunities or more, only 10 have an ERA lower than Karinchak. That makes him one of six pitchers to have at least 10 save opportunities, an ERA below 2.50 and a WHIP under 1.00. That seems worthy of All-Star consideration.