Emma: Chris Sale, Corey Kluber Deliver Special Duel
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Praise started pouring in pregame on Monday at U.S. Cellular Field, simply knowing what was to come.
The White Sox boasted southpaw Chris Sale and the Indians threw reigning Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. What more can be said than that? Evidently, a lot more.
"He's pretty much everything you want in a player and a person," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said.
Added White Sox skipper Robin Ventura of Sale: "With Sale going, we're always confident when he goes out there."
This was before Chicago earned a 2-1 win in 10 innings that lasted just an astounding two hours and 34 minutes. Sale and Kluber delivered an incredible pitchers' duel.
While Sale delivered his usual stellar stuff -- going eight innings and allowing just a run on four hits while striking out seven -- Kluber continued his ridiculous pitching. He followed his 18-strikeout performance last week by sitting down 12 and allowing just one run in nine innings.
By striking out the side in the first inning, Kluber became the first starter in the modern era to strike out 21 batters in a nine-inning span, and he nearly broke Kerry Wood's record mark of 33 strikeouts in consecutive games.
"He's probably the best pitcher in the game right now," Sale said of his counterpart. "He's got the nastiest stuff I've ever seen."
But Sale's stuff is nasty, too. If you're starting a team right now, would you take Sale or the untouchable "KluBot"? It's a fun debate, just as Monday's showdown was thrilling to watch.
In sports, fans want to see greatness shine. A pitching duel brings just that, when two guys are mastering their craft against a lineup of major league hitters. In the case of Sale and Kluber, there was a pair of baseball's best arms on display, with their "A" game.
From the perspective of hitters, a Sale or Kluber can make one feel seemingly helpless at the plate. The White Sox got their only run off Kluber on a rare pitch in the dirt and gutsy break for home by Adam Eaton.
"It's a game, as a hitter, you don't really enjoy it, but as a fan, it's one of the best," said Eaton, who wanted to be aggressive taking home because of the two pitchers on the mound.
On a sixth-inning strikeout by White Sox slugger Jose Abreu, his third issued by Kluber in the game, a fan in section 128 yelled, "What are you swinging at?" It's easy to say from the stands, but even one of baseball's biggest bats couldn't handle that Kluber curveball.
While the White Sox were up against a formidable foe, they knew having Sale on the mound meant a chance to win.
In Sale, the South Siders have a perennial Cy Young candidate, like Cleveland does with Kluber. Each has a bright future, with Sale, 26, three years younger than Kluber. But in a fantastic duel, one must live in the moment to appreciate what's happening.
"It seemed like every time I sat down, I got back up, and probably the same thing for him," Sale said.
For the baseball purist, a pitchers' duel provides edge-of-the-seat action. Eaton is correct in that it's fun for those watching -- an important exception, of course, being the 18 guys asked to grab a bat.
Both Sale and Kluber were simply sensational on Monday, just as this duel was billed.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.