Kluber gave Indians what they needed — innings

CLEVELAND — One by one, Indians fielders would take their positions to warm up each inning with an empty mound Friday at Progressive Field. Then Corey Kluber would emerge from the dugout and take his warmup throws. It was an unusual sight, but for Kluber, it was normalcy.

His warmups are timed for regular-season commercial breaks, but those are longer for postseason games, such as Kluber’s start against the Red Sox in Game 2 of the Division Series.

“I think it’s usually a minute longer,” Kluber said after the Indians’ 6-0 win. “I just realized that last night and just tried to figure out what time I usually come out. That way, once I do come out of the dugout, it pretty much stays as normal as you can make it.”

He’s not the first to do that, but the ones that do are either creatures of habit or very attention-detailed. Once his warmups turned to real pitches, the latter showed.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 6   CLE 5, BOS 4 Gm 2 Oct. 7   CLE 6, BOS 0 Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 6 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 6 or 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Red Sox vs. Indians ALDS coverage

With the Indians’ bullpen taxed from Game 1 and the home crowd buzzing, Kluber not only delivered innings, but scoreless ones. His first postseason start, and his first game action of any kind in 10 days, was equal parts efficiency and precision.

“That’s why he’s our ace,” catcher Roberto Perez said. “He always gives you his best. I knew …

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