3. SP Corey Kluber – CLE
The AL’s 2014 Cy Young recipient has gotten off to a rough start in 2016. The perception was in 2015 that he did not pitch as well either, but in truth, he had a fine season.
Last year, Corey Kluber‘s peripheral numbers were as good if not better in some categories than they were in 2014. The defense behind him was a big issue for most of last season until Francisco Lindor was finally called upon to play shortstop. All of it resulted in an ugly winning percentage for Kluber, despite having pitched four complete games, ranking fifth in total punch outs and registering a sub-3.00 FIP.
Like Archer, Kluber is 0-3 and has been giving up a lot of hits so far. He’s only 30 and has faced the Red Sox, Rays and Mets thus far in 2016. Kluber’s next outing will come April 23 against then Tigers. He has an improved defense behind him from this time last year, but because of a lack of run support, he won’t win 18 games again. But expect the ERA to drop significantly and for the quality starts to begin piling up.
Next: Ben Zobrist