Indians: Tribe going with 6 starters for a time is certainly a move

The Indians will use six starters for a while.

One of the big issues facing the Cleveland Indians this year has been its pitching. Whether it was the rough start to the season for young talents like Triston McKenzie and Zach Plesac, or it was the injuries to Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale. There have also been issues with the bullpen, and the fact that it fell apart mid-way through the year. So it’s a bit surprising that with pitching being as wrecked as it has been, that the Indians will be going with six starters for a stretch.

According to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com, the Indians will utilize Logan Allen, Civale, McKenzie, Cal Quantrill, Eli Morgan, and Plesac over the next two weeks. Part of the reason for this move is due to the Indians playing three doubleheaders in a 10-day stretch. Making it a necessary move to carry an extra starter.

The last time a team made such a dramatic move by altering a starting rotation from the standard five-man rotation, that I can remember, was the Colorado Rockies in 2012, were played a bulk of the season with just four starters. They also again used it for a much briefer time in 2019.

The Indians are lacking five good starters right now, let alone six

The Indians really only have four good starters at the moment and that’s assuming Civale can return without much time to adjust. Those four are Civale, McKenzie, Plesac, and Quantrill. Four very good starters. The staff is lacking a fifth, however.

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The team is hoping Logan Allen and Eli Morgan can correct their stuff and get on track. Something they’ve been unable to do all year. If they continue to struggle, it may be hard to justify their spots not only on the Major League staff next year but on the 40-man roster.

Bieber is due back before the end of the year, barring any setbacks, and his return makes for a heck of a five-man rotation. That said, by the end of next season, they may be able to do a six-man rotation in earnest.

In the minors, a pitcher named Logan T. Allen is quickly becoming the most must-see prospect the team has. While he shares a namesake with the Majors’ Logan Allen, the minors’ Logan T. Allen has quickly ascended up the ladder of the minor leagues in quick fashion due to his utter dominance. He was the 2nd pick of the Indians in the 2020 MLB Draft, going in the second round, and he’s been absolutely destroying opposing hitters all season long in 2021.

If he continues progressing, the team may have no other choice but to run a six-man rotation.