The Cleveland Indians are all clinched in the final week of the regular season, but there are still some marks in their season that some key players are leaving. That includes ace Corey Kluber, who earned his 20th win of the year in a 4-0 shutout of the Chicago White Sox on Monday night. Kluber struck out 11 over seven shutout innings in Chicago. It is the first time in his career that the left-hander has won 20 games in a season, this after winning 18 games in three of the previous four years.
With 11 strikeouts, Kluber now has 216 of them on the season, as the Indians are the first team to have four different pitchers with 200 or more strikeouts. Mike Clevinger, Trevor Bauer, and Carlos Carrasco are also on that list, as the Indians tied the Chicago Cubs for the major league lead with 17 shutouts.
Kluber is the reigning Cy Young Award winner and is the first Indians pitcher with 20 wins in a year since Cliff Lee finished 22-3 in 2008. He is the first with 20 victories and 200 strikeouts since Gaylord Perry did it in 1974.
Adam Rosales supported Kluber's win with his first home run since September 4th, 2017 as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brandon Barnes and Edwin Encarnacion both had RBI singles, while Brandon Guyer had the official go-ahead home run in the seventh inning.
Andrew Miller and Cody Allen combined with Kluber to retire the final 17 batters of the night, as they each had a perfect inning. Dylan Covey had a nice start for Chicago, not allowing a run over six innings, while Ian Hamilton suffered his second loss in relief. The Indians will finish the regular season against the White Sox and Kansas City Royals, before battling the winner of the AL West Division in the ALDS.
With 11 strikeouts, Kluber now has 216 of them on the season, as the Indians are the first team to have four different pitchers with 200 or more strikeouts. Mike Clevinger, Trevor Bauer, and Carlos Carrasco are also on that list, as the Indians tied the Chicago Cubs for the major league lead with 17 shutouts.
Kluber is the reigning Cy Young Award winner and is the first Indians pitcher with 20 wins in a year since Cliff Lee finished 22-3 in 2008. He is the first with 20 victories and 200 strikeouts since Gaylord Perry did it in 1974.
Adam Rosales supported Kluber's win with his first home run since September 4th, 2017 as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brandon Barnes and Edwin Encarnacion both had RBI singles, while Brandon Guyer had the official go-ahead home run in the seventh inning.
Andrew Miller and Cody Allen combined with Kluber to retire the final 17 batters of the night, as they each had a perfect inning. Dylan Covey had a nice start for Chicago, not allowing a run over six innings, while Ian Hamilton suffered his second loss in relief. The Indians will finish the regular season against the White Sox and Kansas City Royals, before battling the winner of the AL West Division in the ALDS.