2017 season preview: Indians’ starting five is talented but needs to stay healthy

Source: www.ohio.com --- Saturday, April 01, 2017
GOODYEAR, ARIZ.: Corey Kluber doesn’t care about the notion that the Indians have one of the best starting rotations in Baseball. He really doesn’t care. Take it somewhere else, because Kluber doesn’t want it in the Indians’ clubhouse. The Indians, on paper, certainly do have one of league’s top rotations. That’s been the case for more than a year. Along with the New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, the Indians’ rotation stands as one of the most dangerous units in the game. Kluber (18-9, 3.14 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 9.5 K/9 in 2016), the Indians’ ace who finished third in the American League in Cy Young voting last season prior to a terrific performance throughout the 2016 postseason, will acknowledge the talent within the starting five. He just doesn’t think that label matters. Not now. Not after the Indians came so close in 2016 without reaching the ultimate goal. “To be completely honest with you, I couldn’t care less if we’re the best rotation in Baseball,” Kluber said. “To me, all that matters is if we win games. If that means that at the end of the year we are one of or the best rotation in Baseball, then great. If we’re not, but we still win games, then that’s great, too. I think the biggest thing is just staying healthy. I think the five of us that are going to open the year in the rotation, we all have a fair amount of experience. We know how to get guys out and how to be su ...

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