Indians Trevor Bauer: Recent success warrants picking up

The Indians are making strides towards the playoffs. As you work towards your championship, pitcher Trevor Bauer may be worth picking up.

The starting pitching pool is getting more shallow as the season continues. If you are behind in the pitching categories, then you are likely going with the streaming strategy. If you ahead, then keep the things as they are. However, it doesn’t hurt to have some depth just in case. Indians Trevor Bauer has pitched well enough in recent weeks to be worth an add.

The Indians big reason for success last year was their pitching staff. With Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, Bauer wasn’t too far behind. He had a 4.26 ERA and 1.311 WHIP in 35 games. He was drafted in the 23rd round in ESPN leagues this year.

Bauer hasn’t seen the same success so far this season. He has a 4.79 ERA, 1.421 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 with a 10-8 record. Though, his recent outings have shown a different side of Bauer.

More from FanSided

• MLB Rumors: Justin Verlander has a clear suitor, but it comes with a catch
• MLB Rumors: Braves trade grade, Cardinals trade bait, Red Sox selling
• USMNT news: Turner to Forest, Trusty to Sheffield, Reynolds to Westerlo
• Inside the Clubhouse: What I’m hearing as the MLB Trade Deadline nears
• Yankees: Luis Severino has blunt assessment of another miserable outing

In his last three starts, Bauer has a 1.23 ERA and 1.091 WHIP with a 22:3 K:BB ratio. While the WHIP is a little high, the lack of runs allowed and high strikeout rate is proof of good pitch control.

He is going deep into games and averaged about 112 pitches per game, up from his 100 pitches and 5.5 innings per start this season.

The best thing is that Bauer isn’t taking advantage of poor opponents. He dominated the Mike Trout-led Angels, New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies.

It’s also impressive that he’s been this consistent at home. Progressive Field ranks eighth in home runs and ninth in hits.

Looking ahead, Bauer will make his next start on Monday on the road against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox lead the league in batting average, 14th in home runs and 10th in runs scored. However, the team doesn’t hit that well at Fenway Park.

Next: Odubel Herrera mashing in the second half

Other fantasy owners are buying into Bauer. He’s been added in 10.7 percent of ESPN leagues. Though, he’s still available in 61 percent of leagues. While his next start may not be the best, I would add him for the future.