Daily Notes: CoreyKluberSociety in Bad Decline

Table of Contents
Here’s the table of contents for today’s edition of the Daily Notes.

1. CoreyKluberSociety in Bad Decline
2. Today’s MLB.TV Free Game
3. Today’s Complete Schedule

CoreyKluberSociety in Bad Decline
Regarding the Title of This Post
In 1996, very talented fiction writer George Saunders released his first book, CivilWarLand in Bad Decline, which book was described that same year in a New York Times review by influential novelist Jay McInerney as the “most accomplished short-story debut since Barry Hannah’s Airships” and, in a postcard sent by Carson Cistulli to Saunders himself three summers later, as “better than Nintendo.”

On the Relevance of Saunders’ Book, Part I
Primarily, the reference here to Saunders’ book is designed to broadcast the present author’s own familiarity with Important Fiction, such that he might impress upon the readership how he (i.e. Carson Cistulli) is sophisticated and very sophisticated.

On the Relevance of Saunders’ Book, Part II
Beyond establishing his bona fides so far as the study of literature is concerned, the author’s reference in the title to Saunders’ book has additional import. Those who are familiar, for example, with CivilWarLand will know that most of the stories in it — including the title one — concern absurd and fictional theme parks overrun by chaos and sadness. Those who are familiar additionally with the present column will know that, within it, the author has dedicated considerable coverage to the Corey Kluber Society — i.e. an absurd and fictional organization which has become overrun of late by chaos and sadness in the wake of Kluber’s most recent ineffective start.

An Example of Chaos and Sadness Within the Society
Here’s a comment from reader Danny Knobgobbler during the most recent meeting of the Society:

The [Alex] Gordon slam did it for me. I hereby rescind my membership to the Corey Kluber Society. Cistulli, you can expect an invoice for my fantasy entry fee if this clown costs me the title.

Another Example of Chaos and Sadness Within the Society
Here’s a second comment, this one from reader jB4s7, also submitted during that same meeting:

Next start is DET. I think I want off this ride.

Regarding the Straits in Which the Society Has Found Itself
It would be fair to describe the straits in which the Society has found itself as “dire.”

Regarding Corey Kluber, His Talents Presently
Despite his recent difficulties, Corey Kluber remains one of the league’s best starters by park-adjusted xFIP — ahead, for example, of Clay Buchholz, Cliff Lee, Clayton Kershaw, Derek Holland, and Shelby Miller.

In Conclusion
In conclusion, the author would like to announce a meeting today (Sunday) of the Corey Kluber Society, at 1:05pm ET, which meeting is intended for those who possess a singular enthusiasm for the works and days of Cleveland right-hander Corey Kluber.

Today’s MLB.TV Free Game
Seattle at Cincinnati | 13:10 ET
Joe Saunders (100.2 IP, 108 xFIP-, 0.1 WAR) faces Bronson Arroyo (110.2 IP, 113 xFIP-, 0.8 WAR). Nick Franklin Status Update: 143 PA, 8.4% BB, 17.5% K, .290/.350/.473 (.327 BABIP), 133 wRC+, 1.1 WAR.

Readers’ Preferred Broadcast: Seattle Radio.

Today’s Complete Schedule
Here’s the complete schedule for all of today’s games, with our very proprietary watchability (NERD) scores for each one. Pitching probables and game times aggregated from MLB.com and RotoWire. The average NERD Game Score for today is 5.5.

Note: the following table is entirely sortable.

Away		SP	Tm.	Gm.	Tm.	SP		Home	Time
Jason Hammel	BAL	3	9	5	4	5	NYA	Hiroki Kuroda	13:05
Doug Fister	DET	7	7	8	8	10	CLE	Corey Kluber	13:05
Scott Diamond	MIN	3	3	4	7	5	TOR	Todd Redmond*	13:07
Joe Saunders	SEA	2	5	3	3	3	CIN	Bronson Arroyo	13:10
Kris Medlen	ATL	5	8	5	1	4	PHI	Jon. Pettibone	13:35
Robbie Erlin*	SD	7	7	7	1	10	WAS	St. Strasburg	13:35
John Danks	CHA	7	1	7	10	9	TB	David Price	13:40
Jeremy Hefner	NYN	4	6	4	4	4	MIL	T Gorzelanny*	14:10
A.J. Griffin	OAK	5	6	4	6	2	KC	Luis Mendoza	14:10
Jose Fernandez	MIA	10	1	7	4	6	STL	Lance Lynn	14:15
A.J. Burnett	PIT	7	7	6	5	4	CHN	Carlos Villanueva	14:20
Erik Bedard	HOU	0	2	3	3	5	TEX	Justin Grimm	15:05
Clayton Kershaw	LAN	9	2	6	6	3	SF	Chad Gaudin	16:05
Roy Oswalt*	COL	10	8	8	2	8	AZ	Patrick Corbin	16:10
John Lackey	BOS	7	7	5	6	3	LAA	Jered Weaver	20:05

To learn how Pitcher and Team NERD Scores are calculated, click here.
To learn how Game NERD Scores are calculated, click here.
* = Fewer than 20 IP, NERD at discretion of very handsome author.