7 years agoCleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber had 235 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings after 25 starts last season, but he's at just 160 strikeouts in 168 innings this year after 25 starts. He used 2,544 pitches after 25 starts in 2017 but has thrown 2,421 pitches this year. The perennial Cy Young candidate is 4-1 while throwing less than 100 pitches four times in his last five starts. "Kluber is staying off the barrel for the most part and getting early contact and having really quick innings. I think he prefers that. The only thing is he has to answer questions about his strikeouts. I know when he has a nine-pitch inning, he looks happy as hell to me," manager Terry Francona said. While his fantasy owners hate to see less K's -- he still has an 8.6 K/9 -- Kluber has been just as efficient with a 2.68 ERA and 0.92 WHIP on the year. He remains an elite starter and could be more effective in the postseason as a result.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Paul Hoynes