Indians complete roster with Davis

Barring something unforeseen, the Indians bench will feature catcher Roberto Perez, infielder Yandy Diaz and outfielders Brandon Guyer, Greg Allen and Davis.

Gonzalez would have given the Indians additional insurance in the infield in the event of an injury, namely to shortstop Francisco Lindor. That’s also likely the only way Gonzalez would have entered a game. Davis, on the other hand, can be a weapon on the basepaths late in games.

“Nobody has a crystal ball, but who could impact a series? We felt like Raj had a better chance,” Francona said. “It’s nothing against Gonzy. But if Gonzy gets in, that meant something went wrong. If something goes wrong, we might be kicking ourselves, but I think we felt like the risk is worth the reward.”

Game 1, which will start at 2:05 p.m. Friday, will feature two of the game’s best pitchers — Corey Kluber and Justin Verlander — who are both throwback hurlers with the ability to give the bullpen day off.

It’ll be Kluber’s biggest test since last year’s ALDS, when he wasn’t himself in Games 2 and 5 against the New York Yankees. In that series, Kluber allowed nine earned runs on 10 hits in only 6

innings, all at home. That dreadful performance came one year after Kluber’s masterful 2016 postseason, when he anchored a depleted starting rotation by posting a 1.83 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 34 innings — 15 more innings than anyone else on the staff.

Kluber will begin to write a new chapter on Friday, but he says he doesn’t see it as a redemption tour.

“I think that whether a game I pitch or a month I have or a year I have is good or bad, the way I look at it is I’m looking forward to the next one,” Kluber said. “... Like I said, not dwelling on previous outings or games, whether they’re good or bad. I think it’s focusing on your next opponent and preparing yourself to face them.”

Catcher Yan Gomes underwent a “completely normal” workout on Thursday in Houston, according to Francona, and is “fine” for Game 1. Gomes lacerated his right thumb last week when it connected with the bat of the Royals’ Alex Gordon as Gomes was attempting to throw out a runner. He received stitches, but the laceration is on the outside of the thumb, and the Indians have said all week he was in line to be ready to play.

Francona added Gomes has “no limitations.”