2015 AL Central preview: Cleveland Indians

Starting Rotation

Sep 21, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Cleveland Indians win 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Kluber
Carlos Carrasco
Trevor Bauer
Zach McAllister
T.J. House

As good as Kluber was last season, the Indians were at their best when Carlos Carrasco was inserted into the rotation. After four years of being in and out the majors, Carrasco had a 2.67 ERA in 14 starts and emerged as the number two to Kluber.

Beyond those two, T.J. House and Danny Salazar both had strong second halves of the season. However, Trevor Bauer, at one point one of baseball’s top prospects, struggled throughout the year.

House and Bauer are expected to join Kluber and Carrasco in the rotation this year. Floyd, Salazar and Zach McAllister were originally each options for the fifth spot. Floyd will now start the season on the disabled list with an elbow injury and McAllister has outperformed Salazar during the spring.

The Indians have a lot riding on their rotation being able to perform at a high level. While they were able to collectively put together a run of success last season, not one member of that rotation has put together consecutive seasons of results.

Next: A look at the Indians bullpen