6. CLE – Kluber/Salazar
Kluber: 59.1 IP, 3-5, 4.10 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 58 K
Salazar: 54.1 IP, 4-3, 2.32 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 67 K
If not for Carlos Carrasco being on the disabled list for a chunk of this season, the Indians’ Opening Day starter could be off this list entirely.
For the past two seasons, Corey Kluber has not been able to have the top success he had during his Cy Young performance in 2014. He still has been a good starter since that time, he just hasn’t been as dominant as he was.
Danny Salazar has been the best starter in Cleveland this season, if not the best in the entire American League before a hiccup May 22 versus the Red Sox. Like most top of the rotation starting pitchers, Salazar rides his electric fastball when he is on the mound. His strikeout and ground ball numbers have been very impressive over his career and it seems that everything is coming together for the 26 year-old right hander.
If Carrasco comes back and performs like he has in recent seasons, there is no reason why Cleveland can’t have one of the best top 3 starting pitching combos in MLB.
Next: The Top 5