CLEVELAND _ Trevor Bauer, and not Corey Kluber, will be taking the ball in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
Indians manager Terry Francona unveiled the Indians' rotation plans for the ALDS on Tuesday, which begins with Game 1 on Thursday at Progressive Field. Kluber might win the second Cy Young of his career, but the Indians like the way their pitching can be lined up with Bauer starting Game 1 and Kluber starting Game 2. Carlos Carrasco will start Game 3.
It seems to indicate more a longer-term view than the Indians employed last postseason, and it certainly puts more of a spotlight on Bauer.
"Since whatever date, he's been one of the better pitchers in the league," Francona said of Bauer. "He's durable. He bounces back really well. That's another thing. We can use him, whether it's a second start, or in the bullpen, probably easier than anybody on our roster. That's another factor. The chances of anybody besides Kluber going real deep probably aren't real good because we're going to get to our bullpen if we have a lead."
Another reason for the Indians getting a bit creative is that if Kluber pitches Game 2, he would then start either Game 5 of the ALDS, if necessary, or Game 1 of the ALCS. It would keep him more-so in line with his regular pitching schedule through that time.
"I think on a number of reasons it makes good sense," Francona said. "Not that you go into a game thinking you're going to lose, but if you do, you have your ace coming back. The biggest thing was keeping him on his 5-day. That was really important to Kluber. That was really the only way we could do it. Again, you don't want to put the cart ahead of the horse, but if you're fortunate enough to win in four, you have your ace ready for the next series."
Bauer also started Game 1 of last year's ALDS against Boston, but that was due to Kluber coming back from an injury. This year, Kluber could win the American League Cy Young Award winner, posting an 18-4 record and 2.25 ERA with 265 strikeouts. Bauer has also been solid in the second half the season, sporting a 3.01 ERA in his final 15 appearances.
Flexibility was also a factor. As of now, according to Francona, Josh Tomlin will throw Game 4, which was one of the major questions remaining around the roster heading into this week. According to Francona, Tomlin could also be available out of the bullpen early in the series. In addition to Mike Clevinger being available out of the bullpen, it was also announced that Danny Salazar will also be on the roster as a "wild card." It gives the Indians a number of options and the ability to adjust to a number of scenarios, including a potential rainout.
"We didn't try to overcomplicate it," Francona said. "The main reason is trying to turn a 25 man roster basically into like 27 by having some of your starters available in the bullpen if need be."
Tomlin likely starting Game 4 and Salazar being available in the bullpen meant there were fewer spots among the Indians' regular relievers due to the club carrying 11 pitchers and 14 position players on the roster, in part due to Michael Brantley making it. One pitcher who did make it was Tyler Olson, who threw 20 scoreless innings this season and gives the club an additional left-hander available in the bullpen.
With Tomlin, Salazar and Clevinger all on the roster, it meant Nick Goody, Dan Otero and Zach McAllister were all off the ALDS roster. All three relievers carried a sub-3.00 ERA this season. But after Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith as sure things to make it, the Indians ran out of room. It's certainly a different pitching situation than the one the Indians walked into last October.
"We just brought in all three of those guys, Goody, Otero and McAllister together," Francona said. "When I said it was unfair, those are the three I was talking about. They all three have pitched terrific this year. It's nothing they did or didn't do. We just have to plan for the things I've been talking about. And for the first series, they're not going to be on and that was not a fun message to deliver, because all three have been outstanding and good teammates and done their job. That's one of the tougher things about this."
