Luis Severino, Corey Kluber To Duel In Opener As Cleveland Visits New York

Luis Severino and Corey Kluber will open up the series as Cleveland takes on New York in the Bronx.

The last time Corey Kluber faced the Yankees, the Indians ace went the distance en route to a Cleveland victory on Aug. 3. The right-hander will look to repeat his success against Luis Severino and New York on Monday, as the contending ballclubs will meet in the opening game of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

The American League Central-leading Indians and the Yankees -- who hold the top spot in the AL Wild Card standings -- split a four-game series in Cleveland earlier this month, with Kluber's strong outing coming in the first game of the series. In that start, Kluber (12-4, 2.65 ERA) held the Yankees to one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

"Yeah, I think they are all big games," said Kluber. "We got a tight race in the division, and I think that you know we're just trying to take it day by day and win each day." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

The Indians right-hander took a tough-luck loss against the Red Sox on Wednesday, where he went 7 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts. Despite the loss, Kluber has been one of the game's top starters this season. In 16 starts (115 1/3 innings) since June 1, Kluber has gone 9-2 with a 1.87 ERA and 167 strikeouts against 19 walks. He has held opposing hitters to a .171/.215/.278 slash line in that stretch. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

The Yankees will counter with Severino (11-5, 3.10 ERA). The right-hander -- who is having the best season of his young career -- will make his 26th start for New York. Severino has won six of his past seven starts, with a 2.30 ERA over that span and 53 strikeouts in 43 innings. He has allowed just one earned run in 13 innings in his past two starts, and just four earned runs in 18 2/3 innings in three career starts against the Indians. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

Severino is coming off a strong outing against the Tigers, where he went 6 2/3 innings and allowed one run on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts to earn the victory. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

"Corey Kluber has been an ace. Sevy is developing into an ace. It should be a good pitching matchup," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

Severino's slider has been one of his strongest pitches of the season. Per Statcast, opponents are hitting .205 with a .293 slugging percentage against it. He has recorded 152 whiffs and 110 called strikes with the pitch. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

 Much like Severino's slider, Kluber's breaking ball has baffled opposing hitters this season. Opponents are hitting a measly .091 against it, with a slugging percentage of 0.142, according to Statcast. Kluber has recorded 171 of his 376 whiffs with his curve, including 110 strikeouts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

 After he was given the day off on Sunday, Indians right fielder Jay Bruce will likely return to the lineup on Monday. In 17 games with the Indians since being acquired via trace, Bruce has hit .311/.391/.590 with four homers, five doubles, and 13 RBIs. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170827250898318/kluber-severino-to-duel-in-bronx-opener/?game_pk=492055

As for New York and Cleveland's last games, New York won the series against Seattle on Sunday. 

Unfortunately for Seattle, Sunday afternoon errors were a big part of the game for them while on the other side New York starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was sensational.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi wasn't around to watch the end of Sunday's 10-1 win over the Mariners after getting ejected in the third inning. But his Seattle counterpart, Scott Servais, might have wished he'd taken an early dismissal as well after watching the Mariners commit five errors in the first inning of the series finale in the Bronx. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

Three errors on shortstop Jean Segura and one each by left fielder Ben Gamel and third baseman Kyle Seager added up to a six-run first for the Yankees, with only one of the runs earned against Seattle starter Andrew Albers. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

"Certainly you can't make that many mistakes and give a team that many extra outs," Servais said. "That was a lot of unforced errors. Defensively, obviously, we weren't ready to get after it there in that first inning. But I credit Albers hanging in there. Andrew kept throwing strikes. We just did nothing to help him out get through that first. You make five errors against a quality club, there's no way to overcome that. " "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

The five errors were the most in an inning in franchise history by Seattle and the most by a Major League team in one frame since the 1977 Cubs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

That was more than enough help for Masahiro Tanaka, who evened his record at 10-10 with a 4.69 ERA by throwing seven innings of one-run ball. Tanaka, wearing the nickname "Masa" on his back on the final game of the Players Weekend, allowed six hits and a walk while striking out 10. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

"I thought his stuff was really good, and I got to see a lot of it on TV," Girardi said. "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/ 

Starlin Castro (aka "All-Starlin") tied his career high with four hits and a double in his third game off the disabled list as the Yankees won the series and lifted their record to 70-59. Castro, who made the All-Star team after an outstanding first half, hit safely in all three games against the Mariners, his first starts for the Yankees since July 21. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

"We think he's going to help out a lot," Girardi said "according to  http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

The Yankees, who are 2 1/2 games back of Boston in the American League East, have three games with the AL Central-leading Indians before the Red Sox arrive at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

Albers, a 31-year-old making his third start since being acquired from the Braves to bolster Seattle's injury-plagued rotation, allowed 11 hits and eight runs (three earned) in five-plus innings as he fell to 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

Nelson Cruz's run-scoring double in the first accounted for the Mariners' lone tally off Tanaka as "Boomstick" increased his AL-leading RBI total to 101. But that was all Seattle could muster as the Mariners dropped to 66-65, 1 1/2 games back of the Twins for the second AL Wild Card position. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

Segura had an inning to forget in the ill-fated first for the Mariners, but he compounded the problems by committing two errors on the same play to cap off the record-setting frame. With Seattle already having made three errors, including one by Segura, Jacoby Ellsbury ripped a bases-loaded double into left field. Gamel's throw in to the cutoff man was dropped by Segura for one error, allowing Chase Headley to score all the way from first. Segura then fired wildly to the plate, with the ball bounding past catcher Mike Zunino, which allowed Ellsbury to take third on the throwing error. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

"We don't want to make errors," Segura said. "I think everybody was ready to play, but it happened. It happened crazy today, but it happened." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

"They made some errors, we kept grinding it out and we scored some runs," Castro said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

The Mariners jumped on the Yankees' starter early with one-out singles in the first by Yonder Alonso and Robinson Cano, followed by Cruz's RBI double. But Tanaka struck out Seager and got Mitch Haniger to fly out to center to end that threat, then proceeded to roll through the next six frames without a scratch. Tanaka is now 6-0 with a 2.34 ERA in seven career starts against Seattle. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

"I think it could have been worse, the first inning," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I was, fortunately, able to limit the damage. I think that led to the quicker outs from the second inning on. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

I have no idea how they could make the call they did. You could read my lips. I just wanted an explanation. I never got one." -- Girardi, on the umpires not calling interference on Segura, the play that led to his ejection "according totohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

Not good thoughts. A lot of derogatory words." -- Seager, on what was going through his mind in the first inning "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

Sunday's win was Tanaka's 10th of the season, but it was his first in eight starts in day games. Before Sunday, Tanaka was 0-6 with an 11.81 ERA during the daytime, as opposed to 9-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 17-night starts. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

The series loss was the Mariners' first on the road since June 16-18 at Texas. They'd gone 7-0-1 in eight road series since before losing two of three games to the Yankees. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

Girardi got his early exit after the Yankees contended Segura went out of the basepath to prevent Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius from turning a double play in the third. The umpires on the field ruled the play legal, and after Girardi asked for a review, the replay confirmed the call, saying Segura didn't prevent Gregorius from making a throw to first (although the throw was low and first baseman Headley was unable to catch it). Girardi came back on the field to dispute the call again, and second-base umpire Mike Everitt ejected him from the game. It was Girardi's fifth ejection of the season and the 40th of his Major League career "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/250911672/yankees-pounce-on-errors-defeat-mariners/

With the win, New York improves to 70-59 and is now 2.5 games back of American League East leader Boston who lost to Baltimore Sunday by a score of 2-1. Meanwhile, Seattle drops to 66-65 and is now 13.5 games back in second place of American League West leader Houston who has a record of 79-51. 

As for Cleveland's last game, they completed a sweep of Kansas City Sunday. 

It was an afternoon of extremes for the Indians and Royals on Sunday. Cleveland's offense overwhelmed early with a nine-run second inning, Kansas City's lineup set a club-record scoreless drought and the Tribe walked away with a 12-0 win at Progressive Field. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

The victory completed a three-game sweep for the Indians, who outscored the Royals, 20-0, in the series and notched their first string of three straight shutouts since Sept. 18-19, 1956, against the Washington Senators. On the other side of the equation, Kansas City's scoreless streak reached 34 innings, the longest such run in the Majors this year and in franchise history. Carlos Carrasco led the way with seven shutout innings against the Royals. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

Today was a little bit of an abnormal [game]," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Those don't happen very often, and it's a heck of a lot better when you're not on the receiving end, because we've been there also, but the guys did a good job. Carrasco, he got the lead, and he was efficient after that." "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

On the other side of the equation, Kansas City's scoreless streak reached 34 innings, the longest such run in the Majors this year and in franchise, The previous Royals' mark of 32 was set in 2004. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

"Guys are just trying to do a little too much," Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield said. "We all know we're struggling. Guys want to step up and spark the team. We know we haven't scored a run in however long it's been. I think guys are trying to take it upon themselves a little too much and just trying to do a little too much." "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

Carrasco, whose nickname was "Cookie" for Players Weekend, turned in seven shutout innings for the American League Central-leading Indians, who are now nine games ahead of the third-place Royals. Carrasco struck out nine, walked none and was backed by home runs from Yan Gomes, Francisco Lindor, and Carlos Santana Cleveland is 6 1/2 games in front of the second-place Twins. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

All three homers came within the Indians' nine-run second, with Gomes highlighting the power display with a grand slam off lefty Onelki Garcia. Lefty starter Eric Skoglund was charged with seven runs on seven hits in 1 1/3 innings for the Royals, who are 2 1/2 games back of the AL's second Wild Card spot. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

"That's a pretty quality lineup," Skoglund said. "You have to make quality pitches. I didn't do that. Paid for it.""according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

The exclamation point on the Tribe's nine-run second inning was the grand slam launched by Gomes. After Garcia loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk, Gomes (using "Gomer" for Players Weekend, due to Francona's nickname for the catcher) crushed an 0-1 pitch to the Home Run Porch in left field to give Cleveland a dozen runs on the day. It was Gomes' first slam since Aug. 29, 2015. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

Things like that don't happen very often, so when you're being part of it, it's kind of fun," Gomes said. "And in the next inning, I look up and I was like, 'Man, that all happened in one inning.' That can sure kill a team's momentum." "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

Gomes also got the second inning rolling with a leadoff single to left against Skoglund. That set the stage for Lindor (aka "Mr. Smile"), who popped the cork on the inning with a towering two-run homer to left. The blast was the 24th of the year for Lindor, who is one shy of matching Asdubel Cabrerra's single-season club record for homers as a shortstop (25 in 2011). It was also Lindor's fifth homer in the past eight games. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

"He's growing up, man," Gomes said. "You tend to forget that he's 23 years old. Man, I was doing something else at 23. I wasn't being the best player in the big leagues, I'll tell you that. So just seeing his maturity has been a huge thing for our ballclub, really." "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

"You start taking it in and it's like, 'All right, let's keep it going.' I was looking at [Mike] Moustakas [batting] in the ninth, and it's almost like you're pitching a no-hitter sort of deal. Let's get this last inning and finish it, and we did." -- Gomes, on the Indians, completing their third straight shutout "according to tohttp://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

"We have a lot of respect for their pedigree. They've been there and done it. I don't think it's wrong to have a healthy respect for who you're playing, as long as you don't back down. But we did a really good job this weekend." -- Francona, on the Royals "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

Not only did Cleveland pitch three shutouts in a row, but the pitching staff also extended its scoreless streak to 28 innings. That marks the longest in the Majors this year and the longest for the Indians since a 28-inning run in May 2008. The Tribe's franchise record is 47 consecutive scoreless innings in August 1948. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

Garcia, who was just added to the 25-man roster Saturday, made his first Major League appearance since 2013 when he was with the Dodgers. After Garcia, 28, gave up five runs in the second inning in relief of Skoglund, he shut down the Indians for five frames. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

"Garcia was impressive," Yost said. "Really struggled in [his] first inning but settled down and saved us. He saved the bullpen. We were lining up five guys to go an inning apiece down there, and we didn't have to do it. That was just a great job on his part." "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

From the opposite dugout, Francona also appreciated what Garcia did for the Royals. "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

"We kind of kept at them. Garcia really saved them," Francona said. "I know he's been stretched out as a starter, but he kind of endured that initial four or five hitters, and he stayed out there for 90-something pitches." "according to http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/250898168/indians-rout-royals-with-3-hrs-9-run-inning/

With the win, Cleveland who is in first place in the American League Central improved to 73-56 while Kansas City dropped to 64-65 on the season is now nine games back of Cleveland in third place in the division. 

Right-hander Corey Kluber who has a record of 12-4 with an earn run average of 2.65 will get the start for Cleveland. Kluber is coming off a tough- luck loss against Boston Wednesday when he allowed two runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts in 7/2/3 innings. Since June 1st Kluber has gone 9-2 with a 1.87 earn run average and 167 strikeouts in 16 starts. (115 1/3 innings. ) He will go up against New York right-hander Luis Severino who has a record of 11-5 3.10 earn run average. Severino has won six of his past seven starts, with a 2.30 ERA over that span and 53 strikeouts in 43 innings. He has allowed just one earned run in 13 innings in his past two starts. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/indians-vs-yankees/2017/08/28/492055#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492055

Will Luis Severino pitch as well as he did in his last outing against Detroit on Thursday? Will the Cleveland offense be able to get their offense going against the right -hander? Will the New York offense be able to get their offense going against Corey Kluber? Will Luis Severino out duel Corey Kluber or will it be the other way around?

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on ESPN, Yes and Sports Time Ohio. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/indians-vs-yankees/2017/08/28/492055#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492055