CLEVELAND _ The 2017 regular season came to a close on Sunday. Finally, the Indians can turn their full attention toward the postseason.
The Indians will have workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday, including the chance for pitchers to throw some simulated games. During the 22-game winning streak, and with the division being clinched roughly two weeks ahead of the end of the season, the Indians had been careful to note that they still had their sights set on the postseason. Now, they don't have to dance around anything. That time is here.
"I'm probably speaking for everybody when I say that it's time to get to work," pitcher Josh Tomlin said. "This is when the fun begins, this is when the work begins and this is when it becomes one of those things where you come to the ballpark excited every single day. Not that you don't regardless, but these are the game you've played the whole regular season to get to and now they're here. It's becoming exciting for us."
The Indians still have some things to figure out as the workouts and prep for the ALDS get underway. Part of that is with the pitching staff. Francona said Sunday that the plan to have four starting pitchers wasn't set in stone, and that they could go with three starting pitchers. Corey Kluber as the Game 1 starting pitcher also isn't something that has been decided.
It's also a question of if and how to utilize Tomlin and/or Danny Salazar. Ryan Merritt could even enter the mix. Tomlin and Salazar have each done well to make their cases this week. Salazar tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out nine in his most recent start. Tomlin pitched 5 1/3 innings Sunday, allowed one run and struck out six. Either could be a Game 4 starter. Either could be used in the bullpen. Both could potentially be left off the roster entirely.
The Indians have some tough decisions to make. A year ago, they were scratching the bottom of the barrel to find enough pitching to get through the postseason. This year, they'll have to leave somebody off the roster who has been a key contributor.
"We're going to have to make some really difficult decisions with our pitching staff and we know that," Francona said. "Regardless of where it ends up, none of us are going to be real happy, because there's guys that deserve to be on there that won't be. And we know that. But, saying that, it's better than not having enough because that's real tough."
Another major question _ and one that would likely have a ripple effect into the pitching staff _ is Michael Brantley's status on the ALDS roster. Brantley returned to make three plate appearances this weekend. He roped a single to right field Saturday night in a terrific 10-pitch at-bat. He went 0-for-2 Sunday.
If Brantley is on the roster, it becomes more likely the Indians carry only 11 pitchers. His inclusion could be as mostly a pinch-hitter, as his ankle hasn't been truly tested. One positive aspect of his rehab is that he was able to keep hitting, so it shouldn't take as long to get his swing back in a groove.
A factor will simply be how his ankle feels in the next couple of days. If he can hit, it seems likely the Indians will carry him on the roster.
"Not my choice," Brantley said. "My choice is to do whatever is best for this team. If I'm on the roster, I'm going to do my best. If I'm not, I'm going to be cheering for my teammates. I'm all about winning baseball games. Whatever the best 25 guys they want to put out there, I'm in support of that."
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