CLEVELAND — Nearly seven minutes into his World Series media day session, Indians ace Corey Kluber cracked a smile.
The question, fittingly, was if there is any photographic evidence from his childhood that he has ever smiled while on the mound.
“I’m sure there are somewhere,” he said with a hesitant grin. “It’s just the way I am when I’m out there competing and being locked in. I don’t really worry about much else other than trying to get the guy out, and that’s why I don’t show a lot of emotion out there, because I’m so focused.”
Kluber brings that stoic focus onto the biggest stage of his career today in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cubs at Progressive Field. The American League Cy Young Award winner in 2014 and a front-runner to win it this year, Kluber has been a rock for the Indians, while other starting pitchers have fallen prey to injuries this year.
He has gone 2-1 in the postseason, his only loss after giving up two earned runs in five innings while pitching on short rest in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the Blue Jays. He didn’t give up a run in 13 1/3 innings in his first two starts.
Indians closer Cody Allen said Kluber’s composure is just one of the things that has vaulted him to the top of AL pitchers.
“He’s probably the best I’ve ever seen at preparing,” Allen said. “He’s always prepared, he never wavers from start to start. He works his tail off. … He’s very poised, never gets rattled. And on top of that, he’s talented. When you add all of that stuff up … you’re going to have a Corey Kluber.”
After helping to dispatch two of the better offenses in the American League in the Red Sox and Blue Jays, Kluber recognized Monday he’ll face another stiff challenge in the Cubs lineup. Only two Cubs players have more than three career plate appearances against Kluber — Ben Zobrist and Dexter Fowler. Zobrist, a longtime AL player before joining the Cubs, is 1-for-13 against him and said he would pass along his knowledge to his teammates.
“It’s not really much of a different story than we’ve had the last two series,” Kluber said. “Really good offenses, and it’s just going to be a matter of going there and executing.”
That isn’t usually a problem for Kluber.
Since the 2014 season, Kluber, 30, has made at least 32 starts, pitched at least 215 innings, struck out at least 227 and posted an ERA lower than 3.50 each year.
Indians veteran Mike Napoli also praised Kluber’s work ethic and said that can rub off on other pitchers in the rotation. He also said he’s not exactly what he seems on the mound.
“Great teammate, fun to be around,” Napoli said. “I know everyone sees him on the mound, he’s always straight-faced and doesn’t really crack a smile, but when you get him behind closed doors, you can get him to have some fun.”
Indians manager Terry Francona also said the team plans to add right-hander Danny Salazar to the World Series roster. Salazar has been out since mid-September with a strained right forearm, but Francona said he “was getting after it pretty good” when he threw three simulated innings Sunday.
The Indians have not yet named a Game 4 starter, and Francona indicated they could use a combination of rookie left-hander Ryan Merritt and Salazar.
“It gives you a guy that made the All-Star team that we could pitch really whenever we want,” Francona said. “So it’s another really good arm that’s kind of a wild card that we think could help us.”
The Indians plan to leave off right-handed reliever Cody Anderson to make room for Salazar.
