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The good news for the Cleveland Indians is that they are currently in first place in the AL Central with a three game lead over the Detroit Tigers. The bad news: they are just a game over .500 and there are plenty of reasons to think that that level of mediocrity isn’t going to hold the division and even if it does, it doesn’t necessarily bode well for their chances in the American League where there are a lot of loaded rosters.
While some of their record has more to do with bad luck than anything, their rotation has been more of a middle of the pack unit than one that should be an asset, especially with All-World starter Corey Kluber in the fold. The Indians also just had to put elite reliever Andrew Miller on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, putting more pressure on the pitching staff.
Well, the Indians understand they have a need and they think they might have the answer in the minors.
Source confirms reports that #Indians will call up Shane Bieber on Thursday. Bieber threw a no-hitter on Friday and has a ridiculous 61:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season.
— William Boor (@wboor) May 28, 2018
Shane Bieber has been absolutely dominant down in the minors for the Indians. Across Double-A and Triple-A in 2018, Bieber has posted a 1.10 ERA with 61 strikeouts and just three walks in 65.1 innings...all of which is insane. He recently through a no-hitter in the minors and it looks like the club has gotten the message that he is ready.
Bieber has been used exclusively as a starter in the minors and should be best suited in that role. Whether the Indians break him into the majors slowly as a reliever is to be determined, although the timing of his call up seems to make it likely he will start off in the rotation rather than to fill a short-term bullpen need.