White Sox beat Corey Kluber for first time in almost four years

Corey Kluber

White Sox fans are conditioned to believe any game against Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber is an automatic loss.

Admit it, did you think the Sox were going to win Wednesday? I sure didn't.

After all, the Sox had not beaten Kluber since July 24, 2015. And it isn't for lack of opportunity. The Indians are a divisional opponent, and the Sox have faced Kluber 11 times in those almost four years.

Kluber went 9-0 with a 1.81 ERA in those 11 starts. In 2018 alone, he was 4-0 with an 0.96 ERA in four starts vs. the Sox.

So, of course, the Sox torched him Wednesday. They got three in the first inning and one more in the second. Kluber didn't make it through the fourth inning, allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

The Sox won, 8-3, as Carlos Rodon tossed six innings of one-run ball, Yoan Moncada connected for his second home run of the season, and Jose Abreu went 2 for 5 with three RBIs.

Go figure. You just never know. That's why we watch.

Covey optioned; Anderson back from paternity list

Sox shortstop Tim Anderson missed both games in Cleveland after being placed on the paternity list. He's back for Friday's home opener against Seattle, and to make room on the roster, Dylan Covey has been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

Covey had made two appearances, covering 1.1 innings. He allowed two runs on two hits with two walks. His success from spring training did not carry over, and he could not consistently throw strikes.

Jose Ruiz is now in the Sox bullpen. He was recalled when Anderson went on the paternity list.