After a displeasing year in 2010 when they just won 69 games, the Cleveland Indians stunned a lot of people when they won 80 games last year. The belief is that the Indians can build off of their massive turnaround last year and take a step at the right path. They want a corresponding bump in wins to truly challenge the heavily favored Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, and to do so they need to discover a way for their key players to remain healthy. They also need starter Ubaldo Jimenez to re-bounce from an abysmal 2011 year. They're off to a horrible start to 2012 after losing Grady Sizemore till at least June. Here are the projected starting rotation and closer situation. Check out more team previews with our 2012 MLB preview.
Projected Starting Pitchers
Justin Masterson (RHP) - After taking a step in the right direction last year, he should back it up with another robust year in 2012. After going just 6-13 with a 4.70 ERA in 29 starts in 2010, Masterson went 12-10 with an impressive 3.21 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 2011. He's still just 27 years of age , so he has an excellent chance to get better.
Ubaldo Jimenez (RHP) - The Indians are hopelessly praying that the player who shows up on the field this year will be the 2010 version of Jimenez, who pitched like an ace and went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 33 starts with the Colorado Rockies. Last year, Jimenez pitched himself out of Colorado, and was not any better after joining the Indians. If he'll go back to his old self, the team will have a powerful 1-2 punch at the top of the staff.
Josh Tomlin (RHP) - The 27-year-old Tomlin seems to be going in the correct direction after a fairly decent showing last season. In his first full season as a starter, he went 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. That low WHIP is has Cleveland worked up about what he can bring to the team in 2012.
Derek Lowe (RHP) - Lowe had an awful year last year, after winning 31 games in his first two seasons in Atlanta. Last year with the Braves, he went just 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 34 starts. He has bounced back from bad seasons before, but at the age of 39, things may just get harder for him this time around.
Kevin Slowey (RHP) - Coming over from the Minnesota Twins, Slowey might actually have a chance at breaking into the rotation this season. Slowey had 3 consecutive years with double-digit victories from 2008-2010, but was shockingly demoted to the bullpen last season and did not win a game.
Projected Closer
Chris Perez (RHP) - One of the most compelling reasons for the Indians ' gigantic turnaround last season was Perez's excellent performance. He converted 36 of 40 save opportunities while posting a respectable 3.32 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. His low K total, 39 in 59.2 innings of work, leaves some people concerned that he could struggle to match last season's performance.
Projected Starting Pitchers
Justin Masterson (RHP) - After taking a step in the right direction last year, he should back it up with another robust year in 2012. After going just 6-13 with a 4.70 ERA in 29 starts in 2010, Masterson went 12-10 with an impressive 3.21 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 2011. He's still just 27 years of age , so he has an excellent chance to get better.
Ubaldo Jimenez (RHP) - The Indians are hopelessly praying that the player who shows up on the field this year will be the 2010 version of Jimenez, who pitched like an ace and went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 33 starts with the Colorado Rockies. Last year, Jimenez pitched himself out of Colorado, and was not any better after joining the Indians. If he'll go back to his old self, the team will have a powerful 1-2 punch at the top of the staff.
Josh Tomlin (RHP) - The 27-year-old Tomlin seems to be going in the correct direction after a fairly decent showing last season. In his first full season as a starter, he went 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. That low WHIP is has Cleveland worked up about what he can bring to the team in 2012.
Derek Lowe (RHP) - Lowe had an awful year last year, after winning 31 games in his first two seasons in Atlanta. Last year with the Braves, he went just 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 34 starts. He has bounced back from bad seasons before, but at the age of 39, things may just get harder for him this time around.
Kevin Slowey (RHP) - Coming over from the Minnesota Twins, Slowey might actually have a chance at breaking into the rotation this season. Slowey had 3 consecutive years with double-digit victories from 2008-2010, but was shockingly demoted to the bullpen last season and did not win a game.
Projected Closer
Chris Perez (RHP) - One of the most compelling reasons for the Indians ' gigantic turnaround last season was Perez's excellent performance. He converted 36 of 40 save opportunities while posting a respectable 3.32 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. His low K total, 39 in 59.2 innings of work, leaves some people concerned that he could struggle to match last season's performance.
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