5 best moments from the 2016 World Series
By Greg Patuto
5. Kluber’s Game 1 performance
The Indians finished the regular season with 94 wins and an AL Central division title. This was in large part because of their ace Corey Kluber. He finished the season with an 18-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. That success only got better once the postseason hit. Kluber went 4-1 in the postseason with a 1.83 ERA and did not give up a run at home until the decisive Game 7.
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The Indians made the obvious decision to run their ace out there in Game 1 and he did not disappoint. Kluber allowed no runs and four hits while striking out nine over six innings.
The Indians had the pleasure of home field advantage through the World Series and hosting Game 1. The Cleveland faithful came out to support and Kluber showed them a big-time performance. That outing for Kluber set the tone for the series which was that it was going to be a great matchup between two great teams. Kluber fired up his team enough to take a 3-1 series lead. And we all know the rest.
Great outings are seen every day during the regular season, but the playoffs are a completely different animal. Teams have a lot more options with the bullpen because they don’t have to worry about a 162-game year. All they have is one series, so starters usually get taken out earlier. Kluber’s performance showed toughness and got the series started off on the right foot.