For the fifth consecutive year, two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber will take the mound for the Indians when the regular season officially begins.
Manager Terry Francona made the announcement Saturday following a Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds in Goodyear, Arizona. According to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd, Francona also revealed the order of the rest of the rotation, with Trevor Bauer slated to go second followed by Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger, and Shane Bieber.
The decision to go with Kluber is not surprising, although some thought Bauer could have a shot following a fantastic 2018 campaign that saw him make the American League All-Star team. Still, Kluber turned in an impressive 2018 himself, winning 20 games for the first time in his career while posting an ERA of 2.89 and leading the AL with 215 innings pitched. He joined Bauer on the All-Star team and finished third in the Cy Young voting.
Kluber remains a linchpin in one of baseball's best starting rotations, but has also been at the center of numerous trade rumors this offseason. The latest reports indicated the San Diego Padres are still interested in acquiring either Kluber or Bauer, but a deal was unlikely to go down before Opening Day. Kluber, for his part, says he wants to remain in Cleveland and is focused on helping the team make the playoffs again.
Kluber's fifth straight Opening Day start is the most by an Indians pitcher since Hall of Famer Bob Lemon started seven straight between 1950 and '56. The Tribe's first game will take place this coming Thursday afternoon in Minnesota against the division rival Twins.
