Corey Kluber possesses more than just a poker face.
His entire 2021 season, what there is of it, represents quite an enigma.
Is the Klubot ramping up to something bigger? Or did Friday night represent as good as it’ll get for the Yankees’ pricey wager?
The good news for those who like their mysteries solved is: We’ll get a definitive answer shortly.
The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner on Friday put up his best effort since his return from the injured list, tossing six shutout innings against his longtime employers, the Indians, to lead the Yankees to an 8-0 victory at Yankee Stadium. It was the Bronx Bombers’ fifth win in seven tries.
“He looked like he did when he threw his no-hitter against us in Texas,” said Joey Gallo, who was on the wrong side of Kluber’s May 19 historic gem against the Rangers and went deep twice for the Yankees on Friday. “Not knowing what he’s going to throw in any counts, balls moving every which way. … It’s always great to see him pitch like that.”
Kluber’s first win since his May 19 no-hitter in Arlington, Texas, vaulted the Yankees (83-65) back into the playoff picture, a half-game ahead of the losing Blue Jays (82-65) and a half-game behind the triumphant Red Sox (84-65) in the AL wild-card race. The three teams are even in the loss column. Kluber’s night continued a pattern similar to the one the right-hander exhibited at the season’s outset, when he slowly built up arm strength to turn into a quality starting pitcher, albeit against underwhelming opponents.
“I think that I’ve definitely had stretches before where it takes me a little bit to get into a groove and then, when I get to that point, I’m usually able to ride it out pretty good,” Kluber said.
Back in April, it took Kluber, who missed most of the prior two seasons with injuries, five starts to so much as pitch the five innings necessary to qualify for a W. This time, after sitting out three-plus months with a strained right shoulder strain, he got there in four starts.
Cleveland managed just four hits and two walks in Kluber’s six frames, as the 35-year-old struck out four and led all pitchers with 15 whiffs, finding success with his fastball, changeup and cutter, among other offerings. The veteran’s effort provided the perfect salve in the wake of Thursday night’s painful, 3-2, 10-inning loss to the woeful Orioles in Baltimore.
“It looked like stuff was moving all over the place which is what he’s known for, right?” manager Aaron Boone said. “… Hopefully this is another step in his progression to getting all the way back.”
The follow-up question could be: What constitutes all the way back? The Indians, riding out the string, fell into a tie with the Yankees as the ninth-best offense in the AL, both averaging 4.36 runs scored per game. Kluber’s five straight starts of five-plus innings from April 27 through the no-hitter, a stretch largely responsible for the solid 3.68 ERA he sports, came versus these clubs: The Orioles, the Tigers, the Nationals, the Orioles and, as mentioned, the Rangers. Of that group, only the Nats rank above their league average in runs scored per games, and that would be the National League.
Whereas, against the dangerous Blue Jays, which he’s scheduled to face in Toronto during the Sept. 28-30 series, Kluber owns a 4.91 ERA in three starts. And in one April start against the Rays, Kluber got knocked around for five runs in 2 ¹/₃ innings.
You discount someone like Kluber, with his résumé and reputation, at your own risk. You know no moment will be too big for a guy with World Series experience.
“When you have the kind of stuff he has to get ahead, he’s able to command his off-speed stuff and get ahead of hitters and really attack the zone like he did tonight, it makes it really hard on the lineup,” said Brett Gardner, who slammed a three-run homer and then reminded his teammates after the game of the importance of navigating this period one game at a time.
Can’t wait to see how Kluber fares against tougher competition. For Kluber to show his (right) hand.