KANSAS CITY -- 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. On Saturday, they clinched the AL Central title for the third straight season, which also earned Cleveland a first-round bye in the postseason.
Postseason Guide
• Current bracket, tiebreakers and more
• Clinch scenarios: AL West | Final NL WC
• Every team that's clinched so far
• Postseason schedule
• FAQ: Tiebreaker rules | Postseason format
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.
This also marks Cleveland's fourth division title over the past five seasons and its seventh over the past 11 campaigns. We’ve been witnessing one of this franchise’s best runs of sustained success, but the Guardians aren’t done yet.
The Guardians will kick off postseason action on Saturday, when they host Game 1 of the AL Division Series at Progressive Field.
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 one of the biggest question within this projection.
By earning the first-round bye, the Guardians will enter the postseason in a position of strength. Rotation anchors Messick and Williams will pitch Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS, in some order. With the off-days built in, the Guardians can have them make two starts apiece.
What about Game 3?
Bibee has an 7.36 ERA in five 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. Could we see successful formula in 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).
Perhaps Bibee's playoff experience (3.10 ERA in 20 1/3 innings over five starts) gives him a leg up here. But it's no sure thing, and the Guardians have some things to figure out in the coming days.
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 is the third starter, or Cantillo pitches behind Espino as a bulk reliever. 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). Both are going through baseball activities at the Guardians' "stay ready camp" in Columbus.
What is the Guardians’ postseason schedule?
The Guardians will host Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Progressive Field. MLB’s full postseason schedule is available here.
Will the Guardians have home-field advantage?
They will in the ALDS. If they advance to the AL Championship Series and face the Rays, Tampa Bay would have home-field advantage by virtue of being the AL's No. 1 seed.
If the Guardians advance to the ALCS to face the Yankees or Red Sox (the AL's top two Wild Card teams), then Cleveland would have home-field advantage.
Who will the Guardians face?
In the ALDS, the Guardians will face the winner of the series between the AL West winner -- the Rangers or Astros -- and the White Sox, who are the AL's third Wild Card team.
Houston and Texas are each 80-81 entering Sunday. The Astros hold the tiebreaker after winning the head-to-head season series.
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.