The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Francona saving Kluber for Game 2
Bauer to take the mound in Game 1
Corey Kluber, the likely Cy Young Award winner in the American League, will have to wait an extra day to make his first start in the playoffs this year.
Indians manager Terry Francona on Oct. 3 announced Trevor Bauer will start Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 5 at Progressive Field. Kluber will pitch Game 2 the next day.
The Indians will face the winner of the wild-card playoff game between the Yankees and Twins to be played on Oct. 3.
“Trevor’s done a heck of a job,” Francona said. “I mean, for him to get the ball in Game 1 speaks volumes. Trevor will never back down from a challenge and we love that about him.”
Carlos Carrasco is scheduled to pitch Game 3 on Oct. 8 in Yankee Stadium or Target Field. Josh Tomlin would get the start in Game 4, Francona said.
Francona said he chose to save Kluber for Game 2 because Kluber would have a normal four-day rest in case he has to pitch Game 5. He said the decision to go with Bauer and then Kluber was an easy one; Kluber was 18-4 with a 2.25 ERA. Bauer was 17-9 with a 4.19 ERA.
“I talked to Kluber about it back even a couple of weeks ago.” Francona said. “I think on a number of reasons it makes good sense. 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 five-day. That was really important to Kluber. That was really the only way we could do it. Again, you don’t want to
“Trevor will never back down from a challenge and we love that about him.”
— Indians manager Terry Francona
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.”
The Indians do not have to announce their official 25-man playoff roster until Oct. 6, the opening day of the ALDS, but Francona said outfielder Michael Brantley will be part of the roster. So will outfielder Greg Allen, utility infielder Erik Gonzalez and flashy third baseman Giovanny Urshela. Yandy Diaz is not on the roster
Relief pitchers Dan Otero, Nick Goody and Zach McAllister will not be on the roster, but any or all of the three could be part of the roster if the Indians advance to the ALCS or the World Series.
“That was not a fun message to deliver, because all three have been outstanding and good teammates and done their job,” Francona said. “That’s one of the tougher things about this.”
Danny Salazar, Mike Clevinger, Tyler Olson, Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller, Joe Smith and Cody Allen will work out of the bullpen.
Salazar and Clevinger are both right-handers capable of long relief. It is fascinating listening to Francona explain his reasoning
while preparing for any scenario. One of those is a rain delay forcing a starting pitcher to cut his night short. Catcher Francisco Mejia is not on the roster, but he will be in the Arizona Fall League staying sharp in case anything happens to Roberto Perez or Yan Gomes.
“Danny is on the roster and kind of a wild card,” Francona said. “The forecast for Thursday and Friday is a little iffy. The last thing you want to do is get caught short and not be able to account for something.”
The plan for this series is to use Brantley as a pinch-hitter. Brantley was out for more than seven weeks with a sprained ankle before being activated on Sept. 30. Brantley could play a bigger role as the playoffs progress.
“We’ll have Urshela and Gonzalez (at third base),” Francona said. “That’s where Brantley comes into play. His ability to hit for one of those guys, we view it kind of as a weapon. So we’ll have someone over there who’s really good defensively. If we feel the need to hit, we can. And if we ever have to, we can actually bring Kip in to play second and move Ramirez to third. So, you have the ability to pinch-hit twice if you want.”
Jason Kipnis is on the roster as a center fielder. Lonnie Chisenhall is also part of the playoff roster.