Cleveland Indians: Tyler Olson remains a bright spot in the bullpen

The Cleveland Indians are fresh off two brutal losses and are dealing with countless injuries, but Tyler Olson sticks out as a bright spot right now.

The Cleveland Indians are in the midst of one of those familiar stretches fans have seen several times in 2017.

A few bad losses in which the offense doesn’t show up, coupled with some rough play from the bullpen has fans worried once again. Add in the slew of injuries and that 4.5-game lead in the division doesn’t seem as safe as it did just a week ago.

The key during these trying times are for certain players to step up and provide some consistency, and Tyler Olson is a player fans can count on.

Olson has appeared in 13 games for the Indians this season, logging 9.1 innings and not allowing a single earned run. He has recorded 13 strikeouts in this span compared to only three walks.

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These numbers don’t jump out as too spectacular based on the small sample, but Olson has become the go-to lefty in the bullpen now that Andrew Miller is back on the disabled list and Boone Logan has been lost for the season.

Olson’s job seems secure for the remainder of the season now that Miller is on the DL and the rosters are set to expand at the end of the month. But even if it were up to Terry Francona to make a tough decision, Olson has earned his right to be a part of this group full-time.

Olson has gone at least one full inning in six of his appearances, so it’s not like these numbers are coming from one-batter outings.

So if he can keep it up at this pace, he will be a key part of the bullpen in September and in the postseason.

His presence gets more important with each passing day without Andrew Miller, and continues to remain important now that fans will be wary of Miller’s actual health after seeing him return only to leave with the same injury.

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All we can do as fans is hope for the best with injuries, and look to those who are healthy to step up and fill the void of those hurt. And right now, Tyler Olson is not only a suitable replacement, but a key piece on this roster.