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5 reasons the Cleveland Indians can be a sleeper in the Wild Card race

By Nathaniel Reeves

May 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (59) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The rest of the rotation has enough upside 

Of course the Indians will need more than just Kluber to dig out of their current hole. The rest of Cleveland’s rotation is starting to live up to its potential and can propel the team to a big hot streak.

Carlos Carrasco, currently on the disabled list, remains one of the most interesting starters in baseball following his insane run in the second half of 2014. Like Kluber, Carrasco is blooming late in his career and has excellent strikeout-to-walk numbers, helping him to a 2.79 FIP and 2.77 xFIP this season.

The key will be Carrasco’s health, as he missed his last start with a sore shoulder. Cleveland expects him to be back at 100 percent when he is eligible to come off the DL on September 6.

Meanwhile, the Indians will need Danny Salazar to keep pitching like a front-line starter. Before a tough outing against the New York Yankees last week, Salazar had a stretch of four consecutive outings with at least six innings pitched and one earned run or fewer.

Salazar has always had the stuff to be great, but has struggled a bit in the Majors in the past. Improved command has helped him knock down his ERA nearly a full point to 3.30 this season.

Josh Tomlin has provided a major unexpected spark over the second half of August to help Cleveland’s recent form. After spending the entire season in the minors, Tomlin has posted a 3.08 ERA in four starts, with Cleveland winning three of them.

With those three behind Kluber, the Indians can continue their recent hot streak and chase down Texas.

Next: Francisco Lindor

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