Corey Kluber still confident that things are moving in the ‘right direction’

The Yankees dropped their second straight game this afternoon. It was a game with several lead changes throughout. In the end, the Blue Jays came out on top in walk-off fashion. A terrible ending to a terrible series for the Bombers.

It started with Corey Kluber on the mound. With Taillon lasting less than five innings on Tuesday night, the Yankees needed length out of Kluber. Right off the bat, it didn’t look like that was going to be the case. 

Corey Kluber began the game up 1-0 thanks to a solo shot from Aaron Judge. He struck out Semien but allowed Bichette to get on with a single to center. From there, Bichette stole second. He then moved to third on a ground out from Guerrero Jr. Kluber walked Grichuk and found himself in a hole early. Thankfully, he escaped with no damage. However, his pitch count was already in the twenties. 

Heading into the second, New York was still up one. But that would change quickly after Kluber gave up a two-run shot to Kirk. Then in the third, Bichette went yard giving Toronto a two-run lead. However, Kluber found himself with the lead again after a three-run inning from the Bombers in the fourth. Kluber would go on to allow another two men on. But a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning. 

That was it for Kluber. The Yankees pulled him after 77 pitches and four innings of work. His final line was: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 2 HR.

After the game, Kluber was asked about his performance. He responded by saying that he was “as frustrated as anybody” with the result but that “it was another step in the right direction” for him. Although he struggled to give the Yankees length, he thought his “stuff” and “location” were getting better. He says he’s still making “more mistakes” than he would like to but that they are “less and less” each time.

Despite Kluber’s struggles in his last two starts, he seems confident that with more reps, things will flatten out. The improvement doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but from a personal standpoint, Kluber seems content with where he’s at. 

Kluber and the Yankees will look to get back on track in the Bronx on Friday as they begin a three-game set against the Rays!