Corey Kluber needs only 3 innings to set a World Series strikeout record vs. Cubs

Indians ace Corey Kluber got off to a historically exceptional start in Game 1 of the World Series, striking out eight Cubs in the first three innings.

It was a World Series record for the first three innings of a game.

Incredibly, Kluber also shattered the Indians’ single-game World Series record for strikeouts — in just three innings — thanks to a phenomenal two-seam fastball.

The only downside? Kluber needed 52 pitches to get through three innings because of all the K’s. The strikeout parade ended in the fourth inning, when Kluber failed to fan a batter. But by the end of the fourth, Cleveland's hitters had given Kluber a 3-0 lead.