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Cleveland Indians: After A Magical Season, Let’s Enjoy October

By Kristopher Grimes

Aug 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (center) celebrates his game-winning RBI single with first baseman Mike Napoli (26) and Tyler Naquin in the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (center) celebrates his game-winning RBI single with first baseman Mike Napoli (26) and Tyler Naquin in the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (24) delivers in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (24) delivers in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Let’s Enjoy Ringing em Up, and Shutting em Down

If there’s one thing the Indians expected this season, it was to win on the strength of their pitching. Analysts predicted the Indians starting pitching would compete among the league’s élite. Corey Kluber is a former Cy Young winner, but the other young pitchers like Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, and Trevor Bauer have come into their own. All four pitchers can dial-up a 95-mph fastball, or break the ankles of any batter when their breaking pitches are on point. Then throw in the soft tossing Josh Tomlin as the number five starter, and it’s easy to see why analysts loved the potential of the Indians starting pitching.

However, it’s the bullpen where the Indians pitching truly made their mark. Throughout the season, it didn’t matter if the starters went seven innings or got forced out after three. The bullpen answered the call time and time again. Led by closer Cody Allen, the bullpen slowly fell into place throughout the season. Guys like Dan Otero (1.53 ERA), Jeff Manship (3.12 ERA), and Brian Shaw (3.24 ERA) found themselves pitching in a variety of situations all year. Yet time after time they overcame the opposition, and shut down the best bats of their opponents.

Then the Indians acquired Andrew Miller (1.55 ERA) from the New York Yankees, and it only made the bullpen stronger. The former closer provided manager Terry Francona with a versatile powerful left-handed pitcher. He could put Miller in as a set-up man, a closer, or stretch him out in the 7th and 8th innings based on matchups. His acquisition completed the bullpen, excited fans, and frustrated opponents with his “filthy” stuff. To have such depth and strength of the bullpen is often considered a luxury. Yet as injuries hit the Indians starting rotation, investing in the bullpen proved worthwhile.

Out of the starting rotation, Trevor Bauer was the only pitcher to avoid a serious injury. That put a lot of pressure on the bullpen. Young guys like Mike Clevenger, and former starters Cody Anderson often left their starts early. Meaning it was up to the bullpen to step in and pitch six or seven innings at times.

If the Indians go a long way in the playoffs, it will undoubtedly be due to the efforts and performance of the bullpen. Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar are out of the ALDS, and Game 1 starter Trevor Bauer will pitch on short rest in Game 4. Francona will undoubtedly look to his bullpen, and there’s no reason for him to hesitate. The Indians have the best bullpen in baseball. It was fun to watch them in the regular season, and it will be even better in October.

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