Cleveland Indians Starter Josh Tomlin Needs To Be Replaced
Cleveland Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin needs to be replaced in the starting rotation.
The time for patience with struggling Cleveland Indians starter Josh Tomlin is over. Tribe manager Terry Francona needs to make a change.
The veteran’s August has been disastrous to the naked eye, but only gets worse when looking at the statistics. In six starts this month (0-5), Tomlin’s ERA is an abysmal 11.48. His WHIP is 1.95, and opponents are hitting a whopping .342 against the right hander in August.
More from Cleveland Guardians
- Emmanuel Clase is not struggling for the Cleveland Guardians in 2023
- 3 teams the Cleveland Guardians should trade Shane Bieber to
- Zach Plesac’s tenure with the Cleveland Guardians will not be fondly remembered
- Terry Francona continues to pad his historic resume during Cleveland Guardians tenure
- Don’t Miss One of Ohio’s Biggest Sportsbook Promos (Unlock $1,250 Bonus at Caesars!)
Frustration reached its peak for me after his performance during Tuesday’s 5-4 win against the scuffling Minnesota Twins. He lasted only 1.2 innings. Tomlin surrendered four earned runs on seven hits before being pulled to boos from the home crowd. Enough is enough.
It’s a sad ending for a very likable guy. Tomlin entered the All-Star break as a fringe All-Star pitcher, himself. He was 9-2 with a 3.51 ERA, and a godsend to the back end of a stacked Cleveland Indians rotation.
In a way, Tomlin’s downfall has paralleled the team’s rotation as a whole since the break. The only difference is the end to his struggles are nowhere in sight.
Danny Salazar’s struggles seem to be through after his own rough month of August. Carlos Carrasco has been scuffling, but concern for him is low. Trevor Bauer has been his usual inconsistent self, and Corey Kluber has been Mr. Reliable.
That leaves one spot, and Tomlin is not the man for the job. The Cleveland Indians are in the midst of a pennant race. Francona is as loyal as they come, but enough is enough. A change needs to be made, especially after a 2-5 road trip that saw the Tribe’s Central lead dwindle to 4.5 games.
Who would take Tomlin’s place? Enter Mike Clevinger.
Clevinger has pitched in seven August games, starting two, posting a 3.26 ERA thus far. Opposing hitters are hitting only .208 against him during those seven outings.
The rookie right hander has went a total of ten innings in his two starts and posted a 2.70 ERA. His August 13 start against the Chicago White Sox saw him earn his first career victory after bringing a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
Francona was adamant about Clevinger staying in the bullpen, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. But, as Hoynes noted, things change and one would hope Tomlin’s outing Tuesday is the catapult.
The manager said no rotational decisions have been made during his post-game presser. Tomlin, being a true professional, took full ownership of his recent struggles.
Josh Tomlin says he'd understand if he was removed from the rotation. Francona said no decision yet. pic.twitter.com/soLigrXm5V
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) August 31, 2016
Numbers aside, it can’t get much worse than Tomlin’s month of August. The Indians are in a pennant race. The rotation needed Clevinger’s arm yesterday. Francona can’t keep giving games a way. The offense and bullpen bailed him out.
Next: Who Will Be Among Indians September Call Ups?
Hopefully, Tuesday’s outing will be a wake up call for Francona and the Cleveland Indians.