Mike Clevinger sucked. Sometimes.
Compared to the shining seasons he had at the highest levels of the minor leagues, then 26-year-old Clevinger’s rookie season was pretty disappointing when he wasn’t carrying no-hitters into the sixth inning. A 5.26 ERA over 10 starts and seven relief appearances, with a minimized and ineffective showing in the postseason is how a cautious Mike Clevinger came into the majors — not a terrible first year, but he knew something felt off.
Yes, he was a rookie, and yes he had a strikeout rate over 20 percent, but the harrowing walking rate and propensity to give up home runs was worrying to everyone on the outside looking in.