HOUSTON -- Indians manager Terry Francona has never been afraid to be creative with his bullpen use on the October stage, but he still usually prefers to have an end point. Cody Allen, Cleveland's all-time saves leader, has typically filled that role.
:: ALDS schedule and results ::
Things will be different this postseason. Not only does Francona not have one pitcher locked in as the main closer, but the manager also has dubbed pitcher Trevor Bauer a "wild card" for the relief corps. Between Andrew Miller, Brad Hand, Allen and Bauer, the Indians have the ability to go in a variety of directions to cover late-inning situations.
"I don't know that I want to say what we're going to do," Francona said prior to Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Astros on Friday. "I mean, we've used our bullpen like that all year, where when we think it's right for guys to pitch, we pitch them."
In a best-of-five series, Francona's priority was to maximize his pitching staff. That meant making Bauer available as a multi-inning relief option for the early games of the series. Depending on the right-hander's use in the first couple of games, either he or rookie Shane Bieber would be named the starter for Game 4 (if necessary).
In Friday's 7-2 loss to the Astros in Game 1, Bauer came on in the seventh and allowed an inherited runner to score. He allowed two hits and struck out one while throwing 16 pitches over one inning.
Bauer returned from the disabled list on Sept. 21 -- following a six-week rehab period for a stress fracture in his right fibula -- with the goal of being ready for the ALDS rotation. Bauer finished off his career year, in which he posted a 2.21 ERA with 221 strikeouts against 57 walks in 175 1/3 innings, with three strong outings down the stretch.

Francona said once he better explained his rationale for moving Bauer to the bullpen for the start of the ALDS, the pitcher bought into the concept.
"I don't think I did a real good job the first time we talked about explaining it," Francona said. "But I think as we went back and forth a few times, yeah, I think we got to a really good place. And I think part of that was on me. I'm not sure I did exactly [what I intended at first].
"So I think it took a couple [conversations], but I think we got there and I think we're both in a good place."

Worth noting
• Two years ago, Michael Brantley could not participate in the Tribe's run to the World Series due to a right shoulder injury. Last postseason, Brantley made the ALDS roster, but he was still dealing with a right ankle issue and went 1-for-11 against the Yankees. Needless to say, Francona is thrilled to have Brantley healthy and entrenched in the lineup for the team's current playoff run.
"I'm always proud of him, because of the way he carries himself," Francona said. "But on a personal level, I'm just so happy for him that he can be a part of this. Because, again, I saw what he went through. When everybody's getting announced during the World Series and all the excitement, he was back there [in the training room]. He never missed a day."
• The Indians announced Friday that they completed the Aug. 31 trade with the Blue Jays that brought slugger Josh Donaldson and cash to Cleveland for a player to be named. Minor League righty Julian Merryweather (currently recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow) has been dealt to Toronto to finalize the deal.
• Francona said he was not sure when or how backup catcher Roberto Perez would be utilized during this ALDS. As things currently stand, Yan Gomes (the starter for Game 1) is in the plans to start behind the plate in Game 2 (Saturday) and Game 3 (Monday).