CLEVELAND -- 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, and then clinched the AL Central title for the third straight season, which also earned Cleveland a first-round bye in the postseason.
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 the White Sox in Game 1 of the AL Division Series at Progressive Field. Chicago advanced after sweeping the Astros in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series.
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, Daniel Espino
Relief pitchers (8): Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, Tim Herrin, Matt Festa, Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, Foster Griffin, Shawn Armstrong
Closer (1): Cade Smith
How could the Guardians align their starting rotation?
That’s one of the biggest questions within this projection.
By earning the first-round bye, the Guardians will enter the postseason in a position of strength. While manager Stephen Vogt wasn't ready to make any official announcements on Wednesday, rotation anchors Messick and Williams figure to 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 had 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 that successful formula in the postseason?
Griffin had a 5.19 ERA in nine starts after Cleveland acquired him before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. However, he had one of his best starts with the Guardians in his final regular-season start, on Sept. 23 vs. the Red Sox. He allowed one run on 10 hits over six innings and struck out seven.
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.
Vogt noted Thursday the Game 3 decision will play out as the series goes along, as the Guardians want to see how Games 1 and 2 go. It's at least possible the other starters could be relief options before Game 3.
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 (whom Cleveland optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday).
Rather than a starting pitcher slotting into the bullpen, it’s plausible the Guardians could have Cecconi on their roster; Yoho is ineligible after his option. 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 Rhys Hoskins (10-day IL, lower back inflammation). He has been participating in the team's simulated games at Progressive Field during the bye week.
Right-hander Colin Holderman will not be an option due to a nagging case of right wrist inflammation, for which he intends to undergo surgery.
What is the Guardians’ postseason schedule?
Game 1 of the ALDS is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Saturday. Game 2, which also is at Progressive Field, is set for Monday at 5 p.m. ET.
Game 3 is set for 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and Game 4 (if necessary) will follow at 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 8, both at Rate Field. Game 5 (if necessary) is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 10 at Progressive Field.
If Guardians-White Sox is the lone ALDS that goes to a Game 4, it would move to 8 p.m. ET. If it is the lone ALDS that goes to a Game 5, it would move to 8 p.m. ET.
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 (the AL's top Wild Card team), then Cleveland would have home-field advantage.
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 the other AL postseason teams, and Cleveland’s run differential.
White Sox: 6-7, -1
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.