T.J. House Is Cleveland Indians' Key To Success In 2016

The Cleveland Indians have two issues that are going to keep them out of the playoffs in 2016. One is the thin outfield that they will have to open the season. With Michael Brantley injured, the Indians need to play decently out of the gate for his return to mean anything. The other, more important, issue is the depth in their rotation and bullpen.

The Indians are built around pitching this season. With four starters who made 30 or more starts in 2015 and a closer who racked up 34 saves last season, the Indians appeared poised to make a move in 2016. The injury to Brantley sets them back, but the health questions at the end of the rotation and the lack of a reliable middle reliever is more likely to keep them from contending for the playoffs.

Josh Tomlin is the No. 5 starter in the rotation. To a certain extent, he could be the key to the Indians’ success. The effectiveness of the No. 5 spot in the rotation will be key for the Indians this season. In 2011, Tomlin started 26 games and appeared to be a cornerstone of the rotation for years to come.  Since then he has had trouble staying healthy.

In the bullpen there are only three reliable arms: closer Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw and Jeff Manship. All three are righties and none of them are multi-inning relievers. Beyond those three the bullpen is pretty thin.

That’s where T.J. House comes into play. He has made 22 combined MLB starts between 2014 and 2015 with another 16 combined starts in the minors. House is a starter by trade, and at 26, he’s five years the junior of Tomlin. Keeping House in the bullpen should Tomlin fall apart again this year will be a great insurance policy for the Indians. Meanwhile, as a multi-inning lefty, he is a great tool to have in the American League to combat the lineups of teams like the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins.

House is the key to success for the Indians in 2016. They will struggle enough early on waiting for Brantley to get healthy. A strong season by House could keep the runs scored low enough that the Indians might just make a run at the playoffs.