As starting pitcher Josh Tomlin walked to the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning, every fan of the Cleveland Indians knew the game was lost. Tomlin had pitched as best he can to that point only allow two runs though he needed some fortunate defensive assistance in the sixth as the Cincinnati Reds began the dreaded Third Time Through the Order. The inevitable happened in the seventh as the Reds kept obtaining good contact, and Tomlin hurt himself with a throwing error on a bunt. The three runs scored would be more than enough insurance as the Reds won the first 2017 Battle of Ohio game, 5-1.

On the plus side, that sixth inning defensive assitance was obtained through the Indians first five-star catch of the year according to Statcast. No one is surprised that it was Carlos Santana in right field making the catch and assist for the double play. Wait, what?

What happens when Kluber is activated?

When Cleveland Indians starter Corey Kluber went onto the 10-Day DL, it was obvious that Mike Clevinger would only temporarily replace him in the rotation. Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer, and Josh Tomlin had each earned their position in MLB with quality starts over the course of several seasons. Each has shown inconsistencies and issues with health (Carrasco) or performance (everyone else) in 2017, which has opened the door to question if Clevinger’s brilliant performance against the AL-best Houston Astros (7 IP, 0 R, 2 H , 2 BB, 8 SO) has earned himself a chance to remain in Cleveland when Kluber returns.

WFNY’s Mike Hattery and I have agreed about Clevinger’s arsenal, issues, and performance coming into the 2017 season, but we have vehemently disagreed upon his projections for his career. So, let’s start the discussion with Clevinger. Mike, what have you seen from Clevinger in 2017 and has it swayed you at all about his future possibilities (or likelihoods)?

Mike Hattery: The Astros start was the first that was really positive to me. In Kansas City and his other start the command/control issues were still a dynamic problem. I still somewhat doubt that he can run a walk rate below 3.5 per nine which limits his ceiling but the Houston start was a giant leap in the right direction. The biggest question to me is how long Josh Tomlin gets a pass and stays in the rotation. Do you have any Tomlin optimism?

Michael Bode: Fantastic that you hit upon a walk rate of 3.5 per nine innings because that is directly between what Trevor Bauer (3.3) and Danny Salazar (4.1) did in 2016. If Clevinger achieves that type of rate, then it his strikeout rate will be the defining quotient between whether he is a success or failure. The 2016 strikeout rates of Salazar (10.6) and Bauer (8.0) demonstrated the difference in effectiveness between an All-Star and back end rotation pitcher. Clevinger’s strikeout rate has risen in 2017 (9.9) from 2016 (8.5) but his walk rate has remained relatively static due to those command issues you noted in his previous starts (1.72 strikeout to walk ratio both years). If he can come close to consistently commanding as he did on Sunday, then great excitement will abound. He has a long way to go to prove such.

Tomlin receives a pass often due to the limited expectations surrounding him. He is a fifth rotation starter whose numbers (standard and peripheral) show that he is a fifth rotation starter (ERA above 4.0 in every MLB season except 2015, FIP above 4.0 in every MLB season). His age (32 years old), build (6-foot-1, 190 pounds), and handedness (right-handed) are all reasons to assume that his performance will either stagnate (yes, please) or worsen (please, no). Outside expectations, Tomlin is beloved due to his elite control. Watching Bauer and Salazar battle with the strike zone makes it even more pleasing to the eye to observe our Little Cowboy’s MLB-best (in 2016) walk rate despite his obvious shortcomings.

I expect Tomlin to be who Tomlin has always been. He’s going to be a decent guy to have at the back end of the rotation who will oscillate between having good outings and getting absolutely lit up.

That brings us to my big idea. We both agree that only select pitchers should ever see a lineup the Third Time Through the Order. Given that Bauer, Salazar, and Clevinger each have higher ceilings, what do you think about sending Tomlin to the bullpen with the specific role of spelling these three pitchers after they make it two times through an order?

Note: previously discussed at WFNY by Dan Harrington as “the piggyback” but now with a specific use-case.

Hattery: I love the piggyback concept and think this Indians team may be an ideal implementer. Interestingly, in a piggyback I would simply give Tomlin the first three innings and allow someone with better stuff to be the anchor piggyback guy.

Tomlin generally can clear the first time through with a heavy mix and could lean on his curveball more a la the 2016 playoffs. I would piggyback him with a high velo guy and then piggyback the other two with someone like Ryan Merritt. Could go matchup with your righthanded or lefthanded piggyback to further optimize as well as large velo gaps.

Clevinger-Merritt as piggy-backers is the route I would take, does that sound crazy?

Bode: You hit on one of the reasons I like Tomlin as the piggyback. Bauer, Salazar, and Clevinger are each high velocity guys, so Tomlin pairs with any of them to create a more drastic effect on hitters’ timing. I also trust Tomlin the most as the veteran to be able to transition back into the main rotation if an injury forces the Tribe’s hand. Adding to the age effect, Salazar is the most likely to achieve Kluber/Carrasco status of being allowed to see the third time through, but Bauer and Clevinger should be allowed on certain occasions when their stuff is on point (just with a quick hook).

Then, you take it a step further introducing Merritt into the equation. I worry that hitters will adjust to his limited profile, but he could still be a sneaky match up play against some line ups. The Columbus Clippers will be mad (taking two of their starters out of play), but the Indians are contending for the World Series here.

OK, so we solved the Indians problem of figuring out how to handle Kluber’s activation and revolutionized bullpen usage. A nice day’s work.