The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
This could be a special season for Kluber
Mike Clevinger was lights-out good for the Indians on May 6, even if the 7-4 loss to the Yankees was a collective punch to the franchise’s gut.
It’s one thing to get swept, it’s another to lose with a 4-0 lead entering the eighth inning.
Clevinger did his part. In 7 1/3 innings, he allowed one hit, two earned runs, walked four and struck out 10.
It was the type of start Indians fans have grown accustomed to every time two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber steps to the mound.
As good as Kluber has been since winning his first Cy Young in 2014, he has not been known for strong Aprils.
That changed this season, and it’s a big reason why this could be Kluber’s best yet.
Consider Kluber’s stats in April the last four seasons before 2018:
2014 (SIX STARTS) » 2-3, 4.19 ERA, with 35 strikeouts and 10 walks in 37 innings pitched; opponents hit .299 2015 (FIVE STARTS) » 0-3, 4.24 ERA, with 36 strikeouts and seven walks in 34 innings pitched; opponents hit .277 2016 (FIVE STARTS) » 1-3, 4.24 ERA, with 35 strikeouts and five walks in 34 innings pitched; opponents hit .228 2017 (FIVE STARTS) » 3-1, 4.19 ERA, with 37 strikeouts
and 12 walks in 34 1/3 innings pitched; opponents hit .240
In six starts in March (Kluber pitched the team’s opener March 29) and April of this season, Kluber was 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA. He struck out 47, walked nine in 45 1/3 innings pitched. Opponents hit well below .200, including .154 in April.
In his two Cy Youngwinnings season — 2014 and 2017 — Kluber rebounded nicely from slow starts and by the end of the season was putting on a show every time he toed the rubber.
It was a methodical machine-like
mow down of opposing batters, and appointment viewing for anyone who loves pitching. Until this season, April hasn’t been kind to Kluber since he’s been a full-time starter for the Tribe.
If there was a memo circulated around Major League Baseball during April from 2014 to 2017, it probably read like this: Get your hits and runs in now against Kluber. It’s not happening often after that.
Which is all the more reason why the Indians should be pumped about Kluber’s promising start to 2018. If he keeps up his
current pace, it would produce one of the greatest single-season performance by an Indians starter, and that’s saying a lot.
The measuring stick is, of course, Bob Feller, who in 18 seasons won 266 games, with a 3.15 career ERA and had 2,581 strikeouts. Choosing which Feller single season was the best ranks with a parent choosing their favorite child. There’s really no right answer. In his prime, most Feller seasons were remarkable.
There’s 1939 to 1941, when Feller won 76 games, had an ERA under 3.00
and struck out 769.
But the pick is 1946. That year, he went 2615, posted a 2.18 ERA and staggering (and careerhigh) 348 strikeouts in an even more staggering 371 1/3 innings pitched. Feller allowed the most hits (277) and walks (153) that season, but the man pitched 371 1/3 innings that season. Cut him some slack.
Don’t forget, he also accomplished that after serving three years in the military from 1942 to 1944.
There’s also this about Feller in 1946: He started 42 games, completed 36 of them and posted 10 shutouts. In one season. Kluber, now in his eighth season, has six career shutouts.
If Kluber keeps up his pace in 2018, he will finish 25-5 with a 2.41 ERA and 260 strikeouts. A season such as that would surely lock up Kluber’s third Cy Young Award, and put him in Hall of Fame discussion.
The way teams approach and handle their pitchers today make many of Feller’s team records untouchable, but Kluber in 2018 has the feel for something really special.
Contact Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald.com; On Twitter: @mpodo.