Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been voted the National League Pitcher of the Month for September, and for the second consecutive month, Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber has been voted the American League Pitcher of the Month for September.
Strasburg compiled a perfect 4-0 record with a 0.83 ERA and 40 strikeouts over 32.2 innings of work to earn his third career NL Pitcher of the Month Award, last winning in July 2016. The dominant right-hander allowed just 19 hits and seven walks without surrendering a home run across five outings. Among qualified NL starting pitchers, Stephen finished the period first in ERA; tied for second in wins; third in innings pitched; and tied for third in strikeouts. This is Washington's second NL Pitcher of the Month Award this season, following Stephen's All-Star teammate Max Scherzer, who took home monthly honors in June.
Over the course of his award-winning month, the three-time All-Star collected four scoreless starts, allowing three earned runs in his only non-scoreless outing of the month. Over a five-start span from August 24th-September 17th, the first overall selection in the 2009 MLB Draft recorded a 35.0-inning scoreless streak with 51 strikeouts, six walks and 19 hits allowed, while leading the Nationals to a perfect 5-0 record. The impressive streak was the longest in franchise history, and the longest across the Majors since 2015 when Zack Greinke logged a 45.2-inning scoreless streak and Clayton Kershaw posted a streak of 37.0 innings. Since the 2017 Midsummer Classic, Strasburg did not allow a run in seven of 10 outings. In total, Strasburg's historic second half culminated with a 9-1 record to go along with 76 strikeouts, 14 walks, 37 hits allowed and a 0.86 ERA. According to Elias, it was the second-lowest post-All-Star break ERA in Major League history for any pitcher with at least 10 starts. During his Cy Young Award-winning campaign in 2015, Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs posted a 0.75 ERA to hold the record. Over the course of his excellent second half, Strasburg lowered his ERA by 79 points, finishing his excellent campaign with the fourth-lowest mark in the Majors (2.51).
Starting pitcher Jon Gray (4-1, 2.57 ERA, 35.0 IP, 39 SO) of the Colorado Rockies also received votes for his excellent month. Slated to start the 2017 NL Wild Card Game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, the 25-year-old did not allow more than three earned runs in any start in September, while reaching the 5.0-inning threshold in each outing. In his most recent road start against the D-backs on September 12th, the third overall selection in the 2013 Draft tossed 7.0 strong innings with 10 strikeouts and zero walks, earning the win while holding Arizona's offense to two earned runs.
In six September starts, Kluber registered a 5-0 record with a 0.84 ERA and an impressive 50:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio en route to earning his fourth career AL Pitcher of the Month Award, and third of the 2017 season (also: June and August). The 31-year-old veteran is the only hurler in the Majors this season to earn three Pitcher of the Month Awards, and is the first pitcher to accomplish the feat since Dallas Keuchel of the Houston Astros during his Cy Young Award-winning 2015 season. The crafty right-hander allowed just 31 hits and three home runs across 43.0 innings of work. Among qualified AL starters, Kluber finished the period first in ERA and innings pitched, tied for first in wins and second in strikeouts.
In his start on September 12th against the Tigers at Progressive Field, Kluber tossed a complete-game shutout to lead the Tribe to their 20th consecutive victory. With the five-hit shutout, the two-time AL All-Star improved to 16-4 on the season. According to Elias, the Stetson University product became the third Indians hurler over the last 65 years to notch at least 16 wins across their first 20 decisions in a season, joining Cliff Lee (2005, 08) and Charles Nagy (1996). On September 17th against the Kansas City Royals, Kluber tossed 7.0 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and just three hits allowed to propel the Indians to their second consecutive AL Central title. Per Elias, with the outing, the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner became the third pitcher in Club history to post multiple 250-strikeout campaigns (also 2014), joining 'Sudden' Sam McDowell (1965, 68-70) and Hall of Famer Bob Feller (1940-41, 46). With the victory, Cleveland became the third team in MLB history to notch 24 wins across 25 games, joining the 1916 New York Giants, who established the Major League record with 26 consecutive victories in 1916, as well as the 1977 Kansas City Royals. On September 24th against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field, the Birmingham, Alabama native did not allow an earned run over 7.0 innings, while tallying 10 strikeouts. The dominant outing marked Kluber's 15th start of the season with at least 10 punchouts, matching Max Scherzer for the second-most such games across the Majors this season. Cy Young Award candidate Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox recorded 18 games with at least 10 strikeouts to pace the Majors. In Indians lore, Kluber's 15 such starts are the second-most in a single season, trailing only McDowell, who posted 17 double-digit strikeout starts in 1965.
Six-time All-Star Justin Verlander (5-0, 1.06 ERA, 34.0 IP, 43 SO) also posted a strong month of September during his first month as a member of the Houston Astros. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner did not allow more than two earned runs in any start, recording at least 6.0 innings in each outing to lead the Astros to a win in each game he started. Over an eight-start stretch dating back to August 20th, Verlander finished his strong 2017 campaign by winning each of his seven decisions with a 1.31 ERA and 69 strikeouts (nine walks) across 55.0 innings pitched. Corey's teammate Carlos Carrasco (5-0, 1.48 ERA, 42.2 IP, 51 SO) received votes as well, finishing the season with career-bests in innings pitched (200.0), strikeouts (226) and wins (18).
In recognition of their Pitcher of the Month Awards, Stephen Strasburg and Corey Kluber will each receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, for their accomplishments.
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Showing posts with label Corey Kluber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corey Kluber. Show all posts
Monday, October 2, 2017
Thursday, June 1, 2017
LEADING OFF: Red Sox-O's rivalry; Pujols at 599; Kluber back
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RIVALRY RENEWED
The Red Sox visit Baltimore for a four-game series that runs through Sunday. The contentious rivalry between AL East foes ramped up this season when Manny Machado's aggressive slide into Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia in late April led to dangerous inside pitches, harsh words and a warning from MLB officials to stop the feuding. At the center of the storm was Machado, currently in a terrible slump.
PRIMED FOR POWER
Angels slugger Albert Pujols gets his next shot at home run No. 600 when the Twins arrive in Anaheim. Pujols had a single in four at-bats Wednesday night against Atlanta, remaining at 599 homers. Rookie left-hander Adalberto Mejia (1-1, 4.64 ERA) makes his sixth major league start for a struggling Minnesota pitching staff that just gave up 40 runs in a three-game sweep by Houston. The Twins, who have lost four straight, served up six homers Wednesday to the streaking Astros.
SIGHT FOR SORE EYES
Cleveland ace Corey Kluber comes off the disabled list to make his first start since May 2 when the Indians host Oakland. Kluber, who has been sidelined with a strained lower back, is 3-2 with a 5.06 ERA. His return will be a welcome addition for a rotation that entered Wednesday with the highest ERA in the American League. He replaces right-hander Danny Salazar, sent to the bullpen with a 3-5 record and 5.50 ERA. Kluber was 18-9 with a 3.14 ERA last season and went 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA in six postseason starts. He won the AL Cy Young Award in 2014 and finished third in the voting last season.
HOMER HAPPY
After winning eight of their final nine games in May, the Blue Jays welcome the AL East-leading Yankees for the opener of a four-game set. "It would be nice to continue playing well right now," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "The timing would be perfect." Toronto was 8-17 in April, but bounced back to finish May at 26-27 thanks to a barrage of home runs, 49 in all. "In the American League, especially in our division, you've got to hit home runs," Gibbons said. "That's the key." Marco Estrada (4-2, 3.15 ERA) starts the first game against CC Sabathia (5-2, 4.42 ERA), seeking his 16th career win versus Toronto.
FISH STICKS
Miami has won four straight, its longest winning streak since last July, heading into a four-game series against visiting Arizona. Left-hander Jeff Locke makes his season debut in the opener vs. Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke (6-3, 3.24 ERA). Locke has been on the DL with left biceps tendinitis. After a difficult stretch when they went 4-19, the Marlins are winning with offense, scoring 73 runs in the past 10 games. Their latest victory Wednesday over Philadelphia came without slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who rested while recovering from hamstring cramps. He's expected to return to the lineup against Arizona. "We're playing better," Miami manager Don Mattingly said. "Hopefully our best baseball is ahead of us." Justin Bour hit 11 home runs for the Marlins in May.
ON A ROLL
Cardinals veteran Adam Wainwright (5-3, 4.20 ERA) pitches against Brandon McCarthy (5-1, 3.28) and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wainwright is 5-0 with a 3.21 ERA since his last loss on April 16.
COMING OFF A GEM
Chase Anderson (3-1) starts for the NL Central-leading Brewers in the finale of a four-game series at the New York Mets. Anderson had a no-hit bid going last Saturday until Nick Ahmed's leadoff single in the eighth at Arizona. He set career highs with 11 strikeouts and 114 pitches in seven-plus innings during a 6-1 win. Zack Wheeler (3-2) goes for the Mets.
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Sunday, September 4, 2016
Sanchez, Kluber named AL monthly award-winners for August
New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez has been voted the Budweiser Presents American League Player of the Month for August. Sanchez also received the most votes for the American League Rookie of the Month Award. Sanchez, who has claimed the past two Player of the Week Awards, is the first catcher to win Player and Rookie of the Month in the same month.
Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball and sponsor of 24 of 30 clubs, is also the presenting sponsor of the National League Player of the Month Award.
Sanchez batted .389 (37-for-95) with 20 runs scored, nine doubles, 11 home runs, 21 RBI and a stolen base over 24 games en route to becoming the first player to win both Player and Rookie of the Month in the same month since Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox accomplished the feat in July 2014. Among AL leaders in August with a minimum of 80 at-bats, Gary finished first in slugging percentage (.832), second in home runs, extra-base hits (20) and on-base percentage (.458), third in batting average and tied for fifth in doubles. On August 27th against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native delivered his 11th home run in his 23rd career game. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 23-year-old became the quickest player in Major League history to hit his first 11 home runs. His 11- homer month extended his Yankees rookie record for home runs in a calendar month. Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers was the last Major League rookie to launch 11 round-trippers in a month, doing so in July of his 2007 National League Rookie of the Yearwinning season. Since 1913, the 18 extra-base hits by Sanchez were the third-most by a Major Leaguer through 23 career games, trailing only Mandy Brooks of the Chicago Cubs (21) and Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio of the Yankees (19). Propelled by their rookie's hot month at the plate, the Yankees went 17-11 in August, their best record in any month since going 17-7 in July 2015. Sanchez becomes the first backstop in Yankees history to win AL Player of the Month, which dates back to 1974. Brian Dozier of the Minnesota Twins also received a significant amount of votes following his excellent month. The 29-year-old hit .302 (38-for-126) with 27 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 27 RBI and three stolen bases over 29 games. His 13 homers in August were the most in a single month by a Twins player since Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew set a single-month record with 14 round-trippers in June 1964. Others receiving votes for AL Player of the Month included Mookie Betts (.378, 8 2B, 9 HR, 27 RBI) and Dustin Pedroia (.406, 17 R, 41 H7 2B) of the Boston Red Sox; J.D. Martinez (.404, 21 R, 11 2B, 7 HR) of the Detroit Tigers; Jose Altuve (.333, 11 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR) of the Houston Astros; and Adrian Beltre (.333, 19 R, 7 2B, 9 HR, 24 RBI) of the Texas Rangers.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber has been voted the American League Pitcher of the Month for August.
Kluber compiled a 5-0 record with a 2.43 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 40.2 innings pitched over six starts to claim his second career AL Pitcher of the Month Award, last winning with the Tribe in September 2014. Among AL starters with a minimum of 30.0 innings pitched, Corey finished the period tied for first in wins, second in strikeouts and tied for fourth in ERA and innings pitched. On August 31st against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, the 30-year-old veteran spun 8.0 innings of three-run ball, while striking out 11 batters and permitting just two walks. The outing was his second of the 2016 campaign, and 23rd of his career, in which he struck out 10-or-more batters. With 10 consecutive quality starts dating back to July 8th, the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner established a new personal record, while also becoming the first Indians pitchers to record 10 straight quality starts since Cliff Lee in 2009. With the win against the Twins, Kluber logged his seventh consecutive win, spanning 10 starts from July 8th-August 31st. During this notable stretch, the 2016 AL All-Star has recorded 75 strikeouts and 19 walks over 69.2 innings pitched, while pitching to the tune of a 1.94 ERA. Led in large part by their staff ace, the Indians currently sit atop the AL Central with a 77-56 record. Danny Duffy of the Kansas City Royals also logged an impressive month of August, going 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 43.0 innings pitched. On August 1st against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, the 27-year-old southpaw joined Hall of Famer Randy Johnson as the only two lefthanded pitchers in the past 100 years to fan at least 16 hitters, while allowing no more than one hit. Others receiving votes for AL Pitcher of the Month included Carlos Rodon (3-0, 1.47 ERA, 30.2 IP, 26 SO) and Chris Sale (2.89 ERA, 2 CG, 46.2 IP, 52 SO) of the Chicago White Sox; Rick Porcello (4-1, 2.62 ERA, 1 CG, 41 SO) of the Red Sox; Ian Kennedy (3-0, 1.86 ERA, 38.2 IP, 31 SO) of the Royals; Justin Verlander (3-1, 2.43 ERA, 40.2 IP, 43 SO) of the Detroit Tigers; Edwin Diaz (3.95 ERA, 11 SV, 13 G, 21 SO) of the Seattle Mariners; and Jake Odorizzi (4-0, 2.48 ERA, 36.1 IP, 31 SO) of the Tampa Bay Rays.
All three August monthly award winners will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, in recognition of their accomplishments.
Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball and sponsor of 24 of 30 clubs, is also the presenting sponsor of the National League Player of the Month Award.
Sanchez batted .389 (37-for-95) with 20 runs scored, nine doubles, 11 home runs, 21 RBI and a stolen base over 24 games en route to becoming the first player to win both Player and Rookie of the Month in the same month since Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox accomplished the feat in July 2014. Among AL leaders in August with a minimum of 80 at-bats, Gary finished first in slugging percentage (.832), second in home runs, extra-base hits (20) and on-base percentage (.458), third in batting average and tied for fifth in doubles. On August 27th against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native delivered his 11th home run in his 23rd career game. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 23-year-old became the quickest player in Major League history to hit his first 11 home runs. His 11- homer month extended his Yankees rookie record for home runs in a calendar month. Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers was the last Major League rookie to launch 11 round-trippers in a month, doing so in July of his 2007 National League Rookie of the Yearwinning season. Since 1913, the 18 extra-base hits by Sanchez were the third-most by a Major Leaguer through 23 career games, trailing only Mandy Brooks of the Chicago Cubs (21) and Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio of the Yankees (19). Propelled by their rookie's hot month at the plate, the Yankees went 17-11 in August, their best record in any month since going 17-7 in July 2015. Sanchez becomes the first backstop in Yankees history to win AL Player of the Month, which dates back to 1974. Brian Dozier of the Minnesota Twins also received a significant amount of votes following his excellent month. The 29-year-old hit .302 (38-for-126) with 27 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 27 RBI and three stolen bases over 29 games. His 13 homers in August were the most in a single month by a Twins player since Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew set a single-month record with 14 round-trippers in June 1964. Others receiving votes for AL Player of the Month included Mookie Betts (.378, 8 2B, 9 HR, 27 RBI) and Dustin Pedroia (.406, 17 R, 41 H7 2B) of the Boston Red Sox; J.D. Martinez (.404, 21 R, 11 2B, 7 HR) of the Detroit Tigers; Jose Altuve (.333, 11 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR) of the Houston Astros; and Adrian Beltre (.333, 19 R, 7 2B, 9 HR, 24 RBI) of the Texas Rangers.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber has been voted the American League Pitcher of the Month for August.
Kluber compiled a 5-0 record with a 2.43 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 40.2 innings pitched over six starts to claim his second career AL Pitcher of the Month Award, last winning with the Tribe in September 2014. Among AL starters with a minimum of 30.0 innings pitched, Corey finished the period tied for first in wins, second in strikeouts and tied for fourth in ERA and innings pitched. On August 31st against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, the 30-year-old veteran spun 8.0 innings of three-run ball, while striking out 11 batters and permitting just two walks. The outing was his second of the 2016 campaign, and 23rd of his career, in which he struck out 10-or-more batters. With 10 consecutive quality starts dating back to July 8th, the 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner established a new personal record, while also becoming the first Indians pitchers to record 10 straight quality starts since Cliff Lee in 2009. With the win against the Twins, Kluber logged his seventh consecutive win, spanning 10 starts from July 8th-August 31st. During this notable stretch, the 2016 AL All-Star has recorded 75 strikeouts and 19 walks over 69.2 innings pitched, while pitching to the tune of a 1.94 ERA. Led in large part by their staff ace, the Indians currently sit atop the AL Central with a 77-56 record. Danny Duffy of the Kansas City Royals also logged an impressive month of August, going 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 43.0 innings pitched. On August 1st against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, the 27-year-old southpaw joined Hall of Famer Randy Johnson as the only two lefthanded pitchers in the past 100 years to fan at least 16 hitters, while allowing no more than one hit. Others receiving votes for AL Pitcher of the Month included Carlos Rodon (3-0, 1.47 ERA, 30.2 IP, 26 SO) and Chris Sale (2.89 ERA, 2 CG, 46.2 IP, 52 SO) of the Chicago White Sox; Rick Porcello (4-1, 2.62 ERA, 1 CG, 41 SO) of the Red Sox; Ian Kennedy (3-0, 1.86 ERA, 38.2 IP, 31 SO) of the Royals; Justin Verlander (3-1, 2.43 ERA, 40.2 IP, 43 SO) of the Detroit Tigers; Edwin Diaz (3.95 ERA, 11 SV, 13 G, 21 SO) of the Seattle Mariners; and Jake Odorizzi (4-0, 2.48 ERA, 36.1 IP, 31 SO) of the Tampa Bay Rays.
All three August monthly award winners will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, in recognition of their accomplishments.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Kluber to replace Estrada on American League All-Star roster
American League All-Star manager Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals announced today his selection of Cleveland Indians right-hander Corey Kluber to the AL All-Star roster as a replacement for Toronto Blue Jays righty Marco Estrada, who has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.
This marks the first career Midsummer Classic for the 30-year-old Kluber, the winner of the 2014 AL Cy Young Award and an anchor for pitching-rich Cleveland. Now in his sixth Major League season, Kluber is currently 8-8 with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 114 batters in his 114.0 innings of work. On the season the Stetson University product has a 1.04 WHIP and has limited batters to a .219 batting average, both of which would be the best marks of his career. Kluber joins teammates Danny Salazar and Francisco Lindor in representing the AL Central-leading Indians on the AL All-Star roster.
The 33-year-old Estrada, who was elected via the Player Ballot, has followed up a career-best 2015 season with the first All-Star recognition of his nine-year Major League career in 2016. The Sonora, Mexico native is 5-3 with a 2.93 ERA (104.1 IP, 64 H, 99 SO) on the season, in which he has fashioned a 0.99 WHIP and a .173 opponents' batting average. The Long Beach State product has been a model of consistency this season, recently posting a record-setting stretch in which he pitched at least 6.0 innings without permitting more than five hits in a Major League-record 12 consecutive starts, eclipsing the previous mark of 10 (Jake Arrieta - 2014; Johnny Cueto - 2013; Johan Santana - 2004). He is invited to San Diego with full All-Star honors.
This marks the first career Midsummer Classic for the 30-year-old Kluber, the winner of the 2014 AL Cy Young Award and an anchor for pitching-rich Cleveland. Now in his sixth Major League season, Kluber is currently 8-8 with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 114 batters in his 114.0 innings of work. On the season the Stetson University product has a 1.04 WHIP and has limited batters to a .219 batting average, both of which would be the best marks of his career. Kluber joins teammates Danny Salazar and Francisco Lindor in representing the AL Central-leading Indians on the AL All-Star roster.
The 33-year-old Estrada, who was elected via the Player Ballot, has followed up a career-best 2015 season with the first All-Star recognition of his nine-year Major League career in 2016. The Sonora, Mexico native is 5-3 with a 2.93 ERA (104.1 IP, 64 H, 99 SO) on the season, in which he has fashioned a 0.99 WHIP and a .173 opponents' batting average. The Long Beach State product has been a model of consistency this season, recently posting a record-setting stretch in which he pitched at least 6.0 innings without permitting more than five hits in a Major League-record 12 consecutive starts, eclipsing the previous mark of 10 (Jake Arrieta - 2014; Johnny Cueto - 2013; Johan Santana - 2004). He is invited to San Diego with full All-Star honors.
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