Kluber Finishes Close

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Pitcher Corey Kluber led the Cleveland Indians to the brink of their first world title since 1948.

Even before Game 7 of the World Series began, there was high drama. Then a Stetson Hatter, as he had done throughout the season, rode in to save the day. In the end, there just wasn’t a sunset to enjoy.

Corey Kluber and his Cleveland Indians lost to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night (Nov. 2), 8-7, making the Cubs champions for the first time since 1908. The Indians hadn’t won the title since 1948. This seventh and deciding game was an epic battle, extending into extra innings. There were momentum shifts and lead changes, even a rain delay, all as a prelude to a frantic finish and raucous celebration.

Given history, maybe it was simply meant to be this way.

The Indians had taken a three games-to-two advantage heading back home to Cleveland. They only needed one more win. A loss in Game 6 put all eyes on Kluber, who last pitched for Stetson in 2007.

Throughout the season, Kluber was Cleveland’s best pitcher, perhaps the league’s best. In the postseason, he had been almost unhittable, winning four of five starts and striking out 35 batters in 30-plus innings. He was, in fact, among the biggest reasons his team was in a position to put decades of misery aside.

It didn’t happen.

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An uncommon sight: Kluber struggled with his pitching command and exited early in Game 7. Photo courtesy of Fox Sports

With the Game 7 start his third in nine days, a tired Kluber yielded three runs in four innings. As described by Fox Sports, “The fastball didn’t have the same zip, the breaking ball didn’t have the same tight spin and the control seemed tenuous at best.”

Kluber stood tall in defeat. “Everybody wants to go out there and try to contribute and do whatever it takes to get a win,” he told MLB.com after the game. “[I felt] good enough. I just made a few mistakes and they were able to hit a couple home runs off of them.”

Next up for Kluber? Possibly an award. He is a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award as best pitcher, with the announcement coming in mid-November.

-Michael Candelaria