You know starting pitchers are funny funny beings. Following them is very much a fluid situation, especially with the Indians and the way this year's rotation has gone.

This weekend we saw Scott Kazmir go out and pitch well against Minnesota. There were some doubts creeping in about Kazmir and if he was really going to be able to get the job done consistently as a member of the rotation.

Yesterday, Cookie Carrasco went out to face the Twins coming off an excellent start against the Royals. His outing made you think that he was getting it and that he could really slot in and be an impact piece.

Oh how things change from start to start, in either case. I guess if the Indians can get 90 manageable starts from their starters, they'll be in good shape. It doesn't matter how they get them or who they get them from.

TWINS - 5 | INDIANS - 3

W: Pedro Hernandez (3-1)

L: Carlos Carrasco (0-3)

S: Glen Perkins (19)

[BOXSCORE]

That isn't to say Carlos Carrasco was awful and needs removed from the rotation after his start against the Twins, but the ups and downs are certainly going to be interesting to live with. I think this is who he is. He's got incredible talent, someone who can throw a 95 fastball and then snap back an 80 mph changeup for a strike, but also someone who has issues coming up with that third strike.

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The Indians dropped the opener to Kansas City, falling behind the Royals into third place in the A.L. Central, and falling back under .500 in the process.  In today’s B-List, Buff congratulates the alien that inhabited Carlos Carrasco’s body, laments Jason Kipnis’ tough day at the plate, wonders if Mike Aviles was actually worse, wonders whether Brian Shaw was the best choice, likes all of Matt Albers’ pitches but one, and takes cheap shots at Jason Giambi’s speed, Rich Hill’s fielding, and John McDonald’s existence.

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He may not be a Ghostbuster, but Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona knows who he needs to call to help the Tribe when they are coming off a loss.

Corey Kluber.

Sunday's start against Washington marked the sixth time that Kluber has taken the mound following a Tribe loss this season. In those six starts, Kluber has gone 4-1 with an ERA of 2.38 and 40 strikeouts in 41.2 innings of work. In the other game, (May 26 against Boston), he earned a no-decision despite giving up just one run and striking out 10 as the Tribe bullpen fell apart in the ninth inning.

In his last two starts, Kluber has given up just one run in 16 innings of work, earning him American League co-Player of the Week honors for the week ending June 16. Kluber is sharing the honor with teammate Jason Kipnis, who batted .524 (11-for-21) with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs in six games.

"Right in front of our eyes, we're seeing a kid mature into a really good pitcher," Francona said in published reports following Sunday's win.

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Being a catcher is one of the most physically and mentally demanding positions in all of sports. Catchers are involved on every pitch while their team is in the field and have a lot of pregame work to do as well. They’re right there with the pitchers while they study hitters and their tendencies, helping to formulate the plan for how to pitch to every hitter, and serving as on-field pitching coaches. It’s up to the catcher to help his pitch through the tough times, whether it’s calling for a breaking ball to slow down the hurler’s mechanics or making a visit to the mound to point out something that is wrong or boost the pitcher’s confidence.

Unfortunately, Carlos Santana is the Indians catcher. His bat is an asset at that position, a position historically dominated by bad hitters with occasional power. But nearly everything else about Santana is the polar opposite of an asset. He is lazy behind the plate, doesn’t seem to have a great head on his shoulders, and has trouble controlling the running game.

One could argue that the incident in Boston during the 2010 season where Ryan Kalish slid late and nearly snapped Santana’s knee in several pieces could be to blame for what appears to be apathy behind the plate. But, let’s be honest, that should only affect Santana during plays at the plate. It should have no bearing on receiving pitches, blocking balls in the dirt, or throwing out runners.

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