Clayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber Each Win #18 As The Dodgers And Indians Race Toward The Playoffs

Players of the Day for Sunday, September 24, 2017

American League

Kluber: 18-4

The Cleveland Indians are cruising toward the playoffs with the best record in the league and, arguably, the best pitcher, as well.

Corey Kluber earned his 18th win against four losses in a 4-2 Cleveland win at Seattle, becoming the first pitcher in the American League to reach that plateau. Almost simultaneously, Clayton Kershaw would hit the same mark in the National League.

Kluber was touched up for two unearned runs in the fifth inning, but the Indians scored a run in the sixth for a 3-2 lead. Kluber pitched seven full innings, giving up six hits and two walks, fanning 10.

Cleveland's 98-58 record is 2 1/2 games better than Houston's 95-60. With six games left for the Indians and seven for the Astros, Cleveland looks to hold home field advantage throughout their stay in the playoffs.

The Indians close out the regular season at home, with three games against Minnesota starting Tuesday. After that, they host the White Sox for the final three games.

National League

Clayton Kershaw became the first pitcher in the National League to reach 18 wins as his Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West with a 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Kershaw: 18-4

A favorite to capture his fourth Cy Young award, Kershaw scattered eight hits over eight innings, allowing the one run on an eighth inning Mac Williamson solo homer. Kershaw struck out six, giving him 200 on the year, the seventh time he's reached that plateau. In 2015, LA's pre-eminent left-hander fanned 301. In 2016, he managed only 172 strikeouts due to an extended stay on the disabled list.

The Dodgers, now 99-57, can look forward to home field advantage throughout their playoff run. They hold a 4 1/2 game edge over the Washington Nationals (94-61) for the league's best record.

Kershaw is 18-4 n 26 starts. He is expected to start one more time prior to the playoffs. The regular season concludes October 1.

Los Angeles has six games left on the regular season schedule. They host the Padres for three games starting Monday and close out the season with three in Colorado beginning Thursday.