Postseason FAQ: What's next for the Guardians?

It’s been another September to remember for the Guardians. The bright lights of October now await.

The Guardians punched their ticket to the playoffs on Thursday, when they beat the Red Sox, 1-0, at Fenway Park. This marks the third consecutive season Cleveland has reached the postseason, all during Stephen Vogt’s managerial tenure, and the 19th time overall in franchise history.

Cleveland has now reached the playoffs eight times in the past 11 seasons, and the club has also now done so in three straight seasons for just the third time in franchise history. The other such streaks spanned from 1995-99 and 2016-18.

We’ve been witnessing one of this franchise’s best runs of sustained success, but the Guardians aren’t done yet. They can win the AL Central with three more victories. That would guarantee them a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the AL Division Series.

There’s a lot to play for in the final weekend of the regular season. For now, here are some questions that still lie ahead.

What could the postseason roster look like?

Here is how the Guardians’ 26-man roster could stack up.

Catcher (2): Patrick Bailey, Austin Hedges
First base (1): Nathaniel Lowe
Second base (1): Travis Bazzana
Third base (1): José Ramírez
Shortstop (1): Brayan Rocchio
Outfield (5): Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez, Chase DeLauter, Jo Adell, Petey Halpin
Utility (3): David Fry, Angel Genao, Daniel Schneemann
Starters (3): Gavin Williams, Parker Messick, Tanner Bibee
Relief pitchers (8): Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, Tim Herrin, Matt Festa, Daniel Espino, Joey Cantillo, Foster Griffin, Shawn Armstrong
Closer (1): Cade Smith

How could the Guardians align their starting rotation?

That’s the biggest question with this projection. If the Guardians clinch the division before Sunday, they can put Messick (who’s in line to start Sunday against the Royals) on ice until Game 1 or 2 of the AL Division Series.

Cleveland (83-76) has a one-game lead over Chicago (82-77) for first place in the Central. The Guardians must finish with a better record to win the division, because the White Sox hold the tiebreaker after winning the season series.

What if the Guardians haven't won the division by Sunday? They almost assuredly would have Messick start Game 162 on Sunday, if a win in Kansas City would secure the division. The risk in that scenario is, with a loss, Messick could be unavailable for the Wild Card Series (scheduled for Tuesday-Thursday), unless he pitched on short rest for a potential Game 3.

The Wild Card Series would bring other rotation questions. Williams is set to start Friday’s series opener against the Royals, so he’d likely be lined up to pitch Game 2 on Wednesday. Who starts Game 1, then, between Bibee, Cantillo and Griffin, let alone Game 3?

There are also rotation questions if the Guardians win the Central. Messick and Williams would pitch Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS. With the off-days built in, the Guardians could have them make two starts apiece. What about Game 3?

Bibee has an 8.24 ERA in four September starts during an up-and-down season. Cantillo has tossed 15 scoreless innings as a bulk reliever behind opener Espino his past three outings. Is that formula transferable to the postseason?

Griffin has a 5.19 ERA in nine starts since Cleveland acquired him before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. However, he had one of his best starts with the Guardians on Wednesday vs. the Red Sox (one run on 10 hits over six innings).

What other roster questions do the Guardians face?

The rotation composition figures to directly impact the rest of the pitching staff.

The projection above has Griffin and Cantillo in the bullpen. It excludes Slade Cecconi (whom the Guardians moved into a relief role after landing Griffin from the Nationals at the Trade Deadline) and Craig Yoho.

Rather than a starting pitcher slotting into the bullpen, it’s plausible the Guardians could have Cecconi and/or Yoho on their roster. It’s also possible Griffin or Cantillo is the third starter. There are a lot of moving parts.

Also worth monitoring: the status of Colin Holderman (15-day injured list, right wrist inflammation) and Rhys Hoskins (10-day IL, lower back inflammation).

What is the Guardians’ postseason schedule?

If the Guardians win the division, they’ll host Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Progressive Field. If it comes to it, the Wild Card Series is set for Tuesday-Thursday. The Guardians would be on the road against the AL West winner, either the Astros or Rangers.

MLB’s full postseason schedule is available here.

Who will the Guardians face?

If the Guardians win the Central, they’d face the winner of the series between the AL West winner and the third Wild Card team. As of now, that would be the Rangers, Astros or White Sox.

If they lose the Central and end up in the Wild Card Series, they will play the winner of the AL West.

How have the Guardians fared against their potential postseason opponents?

Regular-season results don’t predict postseason outcomes. However, the Guardians did not win the head-to-head season series against any of the teams they could face in the playoffs.

Here is how the Guardians fared against each team that has already clinched a postseason berth -- and those still striving too -- and Cleveland’s run differential.

White Sox: 6-7, -1
Red Sox: 3-3, -11
Astros: 2-4, -6
Rangers: 2-4, -5
Yankees: 2-4, -2
Rays: 1-5, -12

When do postseason tickets go on sale?

Postseason tickets are on sale now at CLEGuardians.com/postseason.