HOUSTON — With right-handers Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar back in the fold and armed to complement right-hander Corey Kluber, a former Cy Young Award winner, starting pitching was considered the least of the Cleveland Indians’ concerns.
However, entering their weekend series with the Astros (29-13) at Minute Maid Park, the Indians (21-19) ranked last in the American League in starter’s ERA at 5.15. Of course, ERA isn’t the best indicator of overall effectiveness, and Cleveland starters did rank third in the AL in FIP (4.01) and first in strikeout rate (26.1 percent), so all isn’t horrible.
It wasn’t Friday night when Trevor Bauer improved to 7-0 against the Astros in a 5-3 win and the Indians look to get another decent starting pitching showing Saturday night.