If we beat Porchello in game one, and Price wins game 2.....how is it going to be Boston in 3?

I meant 3 of 5 in both cases

You keep overlooking Guyer, Joe. He's an important part of the Outfield platoon.

And of course we all know our catches couldn't hit this year, but Perez has a super arm. The only catcher to ever throw out KC's designated runner, who is 19 out of 19 against the rest of the world. And no one may believe it, but over his final 30 games, Robert's OPS was a perfectly decent 711.

I overlook Guyer mainly because I never heard of him or seen him play. I don't ever recall seeing his name in any MLB headlines. I guess he's our best kept secret.

JOE:

Here's 3, for starters:


http://fox8.com/2016/09/20/brandon-guye ... oyals-2-1/

http://calltothepen.com/2016/09/04/clev ... itch-king/

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ss ... _guye.html

When I was going over the team comparisons, I thought I covered everything. Among them was the intangibles. I'd like to expand on that thought a bit and look at pressure which is an intangible.

Pressure! Who's really got the most and least amount of pressure on them heading into these playoffs. I would think that the Cubs would be under the most pressure to succeed. On the flip side, I would think that the Indians would have the least amount of pressure to succeed.

The Cubs had a tremendous amount of success this season in all categories, a great manager, an excellent offense, good pitching, a strong bullpen, a good bench, and a decent defense. The Cubs go into these games as the team to beat. Now I consider that pressure particularly with all of the young players they field, all at key positions.

The Indians showed that they can overcome adversity. They have one of the best managers in baseball. We had a pitching staff bordering on great. Injuries placed a major dent in that scenario. We had a patched up offense that managed to somehow succeed. The defense has been steady for the most part and the left side has been particularly successful. The bench, in my opinion leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully speed and defense will prevail. I'm pretty certain that we go into these games as underdogs throughout. With that tag, I don't see a whole lot of pressure which means we can play loose and free. I don't think we will be playing under the pressure to succeed but under the will to succeed.

Pressure, in my opinion, works in our favor.

Cleveland Indians ALDS roster questions remain about Yan Gomes, Game 4 starter, Danny Salazar, relief options

Zack Meisel, cleveland.com By Zack Meisel, cleveland.com

on October 04, 2016 at 4:10 PM, updated October 04, 2016 at 5:26 PM
ALDS 2016


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terry Francona has until Thursday morning to fill out his 25-man roster for the American League Division Series.

He likely already has an idea in mind as to how he wants to assemble it, but he has time on his side if he wants to think it over.

A month ago, this process probably would have been a more simple task. With a season-ending injury to Carlos Carrasco and with Corey Kluber, Danny Salazar and Yan Gomes all recovering from their bruises at varying paces, the assignment becomes trickier.

For a team lacking starting pitching depth and blessed with a bounty of bullpen options, there are a number of directions Francona can go. For now, however, we're left with a handful of questions.
Terry Francona on 3-2 win over Kansas City

Will Gomes make the roster?

In his first plate appearance in 77 days, Gomes belted a home run in Kansas City. Can one swing vault a player onto a postseason roster?

It was a feel-good moment for a catcher who has felt the wrath of Murphy's Law this season, from misery at the plate (.167 average, .527 OPS) to agony on the trainer's table (separated shoulder, broken hand). He still can't swing the bat with 100 percent authority, so Francona said that if Gomes were to make the roster, the team would have to carry three catchers.

Yan Gomes, returning from not only a separated right shoulder, but a broken right hand, homered Sunday in his first at-bat since July 17 to help the Indians beat the Royals.

Is that the way to go? Carrying a third catcher would limit the rest of the bench, which would limit Francona's options for pinch-hitting for his light-hitting backstops.

"I'd obviously want to be on it," Gomes said Sunday, "but we haven't talked about it."

What can Salazar contribute, if he makes it?

When Salazar returned from the disabled list in August without making a rehab appearance, the results were unsightly.

Can the Indians trust him with an inning or two of relief, even though he hasn't pitched in a game since Sept. 9? Salazar has increased his workload in bullpen sessions over the last couple of weeks.

5 numbers that give Indians hope in ALDS

5 numbers that give Indians hope in ALDS

While October is its own animal, there might be a handful of numbers that offer the Indians some hope as they battle Boston in the American League Division Series.

Is Trevor Bauer a lock to start Game 4?

The Indians are confident in Bauer's ability to bounce back on three days' rest. But what if the Red Sox feast on Bauer's pitching in Game 1? Do the Indians have any alternatives?

Kluber and Josh Tomlin are the only other remaining starting pitchers, at this point. Salazar probably couldn't offer much beyond an inning or two. Would the Indians consider a bullpen day, or are they dead set on Bauer starting two of the first four contests of the series?

While October is its own animal, there might be a handful of numbers that give the Indians some concern as they battle Boston in the American League Division Series.

Who will round out the bullpen?

The Indians figure to carry at least eight relievers, with only three starters in tow. Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw and Dan Otero will likely do plenty of heavy lifting throughout the postseason. Zach McAllister and Jeff Manship are all but locks to make the roster. Mike Clevinger probably is as well.

If Salazar is healthy, he could serve as another right-handed weapon. That could leave one spot for Kyle Crockett, Shawn Armstrong, Joe Colon, Ryan Merritt, Cody Anderson and Perci Garner. Austin Adams probably botched any chance at a spot with a 9.82 ERA over 19 appearances this season.

If Salazar is healthy, he could serve as another right-handed weapon. That could leave one spot for Kyle Crockett, Shawn Armstrong, Joe Colon, Ryan Merritt, Cody Anderson and Perci Garner. Austin Adams probably botched any chance at a spot with a 9.82 ERA over 19 appearances this season.

Since Salazar is not ready, that means 2 spots are available. Adams has more than "probably" botched his chance. Joe Colon looked pretty awful too after his first couple outings. Which leaves Crockett and Merritt, sort-tossing lefties, Armstrong and Garner, hard throwing righties with command issues, and Anderson whose whole season has been forgettable. Hope we won't need to use any of these fellow although all 5 have had some success. I suppose one left and one right.

Red Sox-Indians: A position-by-position ALDS look

Red Sox won 4 of 6 matchups between teams this year

By Mike Petriello / MLB.com | @mike_petriello | 6:36 AM ET + 61 COMMENTS

Can a team advance in the postseason without any of its three top elite starters at full strength? That's what the Indians are going to try to prove when they go up against the dangerous Red Sox lineup in the American League Division Series (starting tonight at 8 ET on TBS) without the services of Carlos Carrasco (finger) or Danny Salazar (forearm), and with ace Corey Kluber taking the hill in Game 2 for the first time since straining his quad last Monday.

Still, we've been underestimating Cleveland all year, dating back to this past offseason, when its outfield was deemed unacceptably weak ... before becoming one of the five most productive units in the game. The Red Sox seem to have finally sorted out their bullpen issues and won the most games in the AL in the second half (44), though Cleveland won the second-most (42) in the league.

It's closer than it seems, is the point, and don't forget how much Andrew Miller has meant to that Cleveland bullpen, particularly with manager Terry Francona willing to use him in the biggest spots, regardless of the inning. Let's go position-by-position for strengths and weaknesses.

Catcher

Perhaps the biggest out-of-nowhere story in baseball this year was that of Sandy Leon, who was DFA'd last July, went unclaimed, then put up a .310/.369/.476 (123 wRC+, where 100 is league average) line so impressive that it was basically the same as Jonathan Lucroy. But it was clear that couldn't keep up, and it didn't, as the inevitable regression began with a .286 OBP and .253 slugging percentage after Sept. 1. That's a 44 wRC+ that's roughly even to the 46 wRC+ Cleveland's catchers combined for this year, thanks to a .242 OBP and .316 slugging mark.

Advantage: Push

First Base

Mike Napoli was one of the best signings of the past offseason, as he hit a career-high 34 homers for Cleveland -- though his .335 OBP was well down from when he'd regularly touch .360-.370; the resulting 113 wRC+ placed him 13th in a deep group of first basemen. Still, even that good season can't quite match up to what Hanley Ramirez did, as mid-season mechanical changes helped him elevate the ball and start crushing. Only three players had more second-half homers than Ramirez' 22, to go with a great .284/.354/.593 (146 wRC+) line.

Advantage: Red Sox

Second Base

Dustin Pedroia has been one of baseball's best second basemen for years, he started 151 games at second this year, and he hit .318/.376/.449 (120 wRC+). Jason Kipnis has been one of baseball's best second basemen for years, he started 151 games at second this year, and he hit .275/.343/.469 (117 wRC+). You might prefer Pedroia's superior on-base skills or Kipnis' better power, but these are two of the game's best playing at similarly high levels.

Advantage: Push

Shortstop

How in the world do you choose between two of the game's brightest young shortstop stars? Francisco Lindor (.301/.358/.435, 112 wRC+) and Xander Bogaerts (.294/.356/.446, 113 wRC+) both had very strong seasons. The slight edge here goes to Lindor, because he's more highly-regarded on defense (No. 1 in FanGraphs' "Defense" ranking among shortstops), and because Bogaerts had a very rough second half (.253/.317/.412, 92 wRC+).

Tiny advantage: Indians (but your mileage may vary)

Third Base

Jose Ramirez might be Cleveland's under-the-radar MVP, because he stepped up to cover for the injured Michael Brantley in left early in the year, took over the regular third-base job in July after Juan Uribe was let go, and hit the entire time: .312/.363/.462, 122 wRC+, 22 steals. The Red Sox have tried to mix and match with Travis Shaw and Brock Holt, but overall the Boston hot corner (.238/.304/.381, 78 wRC+) has been the weakest group in baseball.

Big advantage: Indians

Left Field

The Red Sox have settled on a platoon of rookie lefty Andrew Benintendi (.295/.359/.476, 120 wRC+) and veteran righty Chris Young, and that's worked pretty well, though Young's lefty-crushing value (.267/.365/.481 career, and better this year) may be limited against a Cleveland staff that has no prominent lefty outside of Miller. With Ramirez at third and Abraham Almonte ineligible to play in the postseason after being suspened for a positive PED test before this season, Cleveland will counter with Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp, who were both slightly below-average with the bat -- though Davis did steal 43 bags.

Advantage: Red Sox

Center Field

The rocket-armed Jackie Bradley Jr. is responsible for four of the 16 throws tracked by Statcast™ as being 100 mph or more from an outfielder this year, but that's less of an advantage here, because Cleveland's Tyler Naquin had two of them himself. After an AL MVP Award-quality start, Bradley fell off badly in the second half (.233/.315/.412, 90 wRC+), and he was outhit by Naquin (.296/.372/.514, 135 wRC+) on the season. Naquin doesn't start against lefties, though, so we may see Davis here against David Price and Eduardo Rodriguez, and the defensive metrics all preferred Bradley. We'll call this a tie.

Advantage: Push

Right Field

Mookie Betts may very well win the AL MVP Award, and he'll get a considerable amount of first-place votes even if he doesn't win. Betts is an elite defensive outfielder, leading all of baseball in Defensive Runs Saved, and he did it with a .318/.363/.534 (135 wRC+) line that's one of the 10 best in the AL. He even stole 26 bases while being caught only four times. All due respect to Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer, but this one isn't close.

Big, big advantage: Red Sox

Designated Hitter

It's worth noting here that Carlos Santana is really, really good, putting up a career-best 34 homers with an excellent .259/.366/.498 (132 wRC+) line, even hitting leadoff 85 times. It's just that David Ortiz (.315/.401/.620, 163 wRC+) was the second-best hitter in all of baseball behind only Mike Trout, and as we pointed out above, Cleveland doesn't have any lefty starters to make Papi's life slightly more difficult.

Advantage: Red Sox

Bench

Along with Holt/Shaw, Young and a backup catcher, expect the Red Sox to carry infielder Aaron Hill as well. Cleveland's bench will be determined by how the outfield shakes out in any given game, though it's possible the only backup infielder will be the weak-hitting Michael Martinez. Guyer, at least, has long smashed lefties (career line of .288/.390/.469, 144 wRC+).

Small advantage: Red Sox

Starting Pitchers

If the Indians were at full strength, they'd probably have the best rotation in the AL. They're not, so they don't. So, so much depends on how Kluber's quad reacts, but mostly they need Game 1 starter Trevor Bauer to be more like first-half Bauer (.227/.299/.340 against, 3.30 ERA) and less like second-half Bauer (.264/.342/.449, 5.36). The third and fourth starters would come from a group including Josh Tomlin, Cody Anderson and Mike Clevinger, which is less than ideal. The Red Sox may have the AL Cy Young winner in Rick Porcello starting Game 1, then get to throw Price, who has been better than you think, behind him.

Advantage: Red Sox

Closer

It's difficult to believe considering that Boston has Craig Kimbrel, but ... this one is a toss-up, and that's not because of Miller. It's partially because Kimbrel has shown a worrisome inability to throw strikes, with a 13.6 percent walk rate that's easily a career high -- an issue that became more pronounced late, walking six in his final three appearances. (His ERA/FIP of 3.40/2.92 are both career highs.) Meanwhile, Cody Allen remains one of the more underrated relievers in the game, striking out 87 in 68 innings and allowing just one run in the season's final six weeks.

Advantage: Push

Relief Pitchers

Miller has a legitimate case to be considered as dominant as Zach Britton, though it doesn't seem like he's talked about that way, and Francona's usage of him has been stellar. You'll also see some quality arms like Dan Otero and Bryan Shaw for a team that will have to rely heavily on their relievers. That said, the Red Sox bullpen has peaked at absolutely the right time, as Boston finally has Kimbrel, Koji Uehara, and Brad Ziegler healthy simultaneously, plus the long-awaited bullpen transition of Joe Kelly has been a success -- he's allowed two runs in 17 2/3 innings, touching triple digits with his fastball. The Red Sox as a unit had a 1.80 ERA after Sept. 1, and they might not even be able to find room for all of their relievers, especially if Drew Pomeranz makes it here.

Small advantage: Red Sox

Well! I give us a little more credit than this Petriello fellow, but essentally, we were very close.

Gomes included on Indians' ALDS roster
Catcher worked hard to return from injuries in time for postseason

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | October 5th, 2016 + 78 COMMENTS

CLEVELAND --

A week ago, the assumption remained that Indians catcher Yan Gomes was done for the season. On Wednesday, Cleveland announced that Gomes will be a part of its roster for the American League Division Series against the Red Sox.

Gomes' incredible return from multiple injuries highlights the names included on the Tribe's 25-man roster for the ALDS, which is set to begin with Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday at Progressive Field (TBS). With Gomes in the fold, Cleveland plans on carrying three catchers, meaning the pitching staff will consist of 11 arms (three starters and eight relievers).

"It's been a roller coaster of emotions," said Gomes, who sustained a non-displaced fracture in his right wrist on Sept. 14. "I went from sitting in a hospital room with my hand broken, and not going to lie, crying my eyes out, because I'm not going to be part of the team. But then, once I got my stuff together, I was like, 'You know what? I can try to make a comeback.'

"I got to play in a couple games, and to be put on the roster is pretty rewarding for me and I'm just going to try to do my best to help our team any way I can."
Indians manager Terry Francona said Gomes' swift comeback was unexpected.

"I'm surprised," Francona said. "I think we were being really honest about his chances and things like that. I didn't think it was fair to ever put it out there that there was a possibility, because by all rights he shouldn't have had a realistic possibility."

Here is a glance at the Indians' ALDS roster:

Rotation: Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber and Josh Tomlin

No surprises here. Bauer is scheduled to take the ball in Game 1, while Kluber, Cleveland's ace and a Cy Young contender, is slated to start Game 2 on Friday (4:30 p.m., TBS). Kluber could have started the ALDS opener, but the Indians opted to hold him back by one game due to the mild quadriceps strain he sustained on Sept. 26. This way, Kluber can stay on normal rest in the event the series extends to Game 5. Bauer would pitch on three days' rest if a Game 4 is necessary. Tomlin is Cleveland's probable starter for Game 3 on Sunday in Boston (4 p.m., TBS).

Bullpen: Cody Allen, Cody Anderson, Mike Clevinger, Jeff Manship, Zach McAllister, Andrew Miller, Dan Otero and Bryan Shaw

The only twist here would be the inclusion of Anderson, who can log multi-inning relief appearances. Once the Indians knew that Danny Salazar (right forearm) would not be ready to pitch in the ALDS, Anderson became a realistic option. Cleveland also opted to carry only one lefty, though Miller is far more than a specialist. The relief ace serves as a high-leverage weapon for manager Terry Francona, who does not have a designated closer. Allen gets the bulk of the saves, but the Indians do not have assigned innings for Miller, Allen or Shaw. Francona uses them when he feel it makes the most sense. Since Miller's arrival via trade on July 31, the main five relief arms (Miller, Allen, Shaw, Otero and McAllister) have combined for a 1.76 ERA.

Infield: Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Michael Martinez, Mike Napoli, Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana

Napoli and Santana, who each belted 34 home runs this season, alternate between first base and designated hitter. If a lefty is pitching, Santana typically hits out of the No. 5 spot behind Napoli, with outfielder Rajai Davis leading off. On days with a righty on the mound, Santana has been leading off, with Ramirez moving into the fifth hole. Ramirez has been one of the AL's top hitters with runners in scoring position, while ranking near the top of the league in Win Probability Added. Lindor and Kipnis have both enjoyed career years up the middle. Martinez is a switch-hitting utility player whose calling card is defense. He can offer emergency depth in the outfield, too.

Outfield: Lonnie Chisenhall, Coco Crisp, Brandon Guyer, Tyler Naquin and Davis

Crisp assumes the roster spot previously held by Abraham Almonte, who is ineligible for the postseason. Francona featured multiple outfield platoons this season and that should continue in October. Chisenhall (right field) and Naquin (center) typically only start against right-handers, while Guyer (corner outfield) and Davis (left and center) get the bulk of their at-bats against lefties. Francona will not hesitate to pinch-hit in the middle innings with the outfielders on the bench if it makes sense in terms of platoon advantage.

Catchers: Chris Gimenez, Roberto Perez and Gomes

Gomes sustained a separated shoulder on July 17 and then a non-displaced fracture in his right wrist in a Double-A rehab game on Sept. 14. At the time of the broken wrist, the catcher was given a timetable of return of six to eight weeks. Knowing he could not really injure his wrist further, Gomes pushed hard behind the scenes to return and started Cleveland's final regular-season game on Sunday. The catcher logged five innings behind the plate and launched a home run in his first at-bat. Gomes and Perez are above-average defenders, and the staff has enjoyed working with Gimenez in Gomes' absence. All three have labored at the plate, so Francona does not hesitate to pinch-hit for his catchers in the middle or late innings. With that in mind, carrying three catchers can lend itself to some in-game strategy.

Indians' bullpen prepared for any scenario

Led by Miller, relievers can deliver in short stints and go multiple innings

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | October 5th, 2016 + 2 COMMENTS

CLEVELAND --

It is impossible to simulate an October environment. Over the final six weeks of the regular season, though, the Indians dealt with a series of rotation issues that pressed their bullpen into duty early and often. The group was tasked with more high-intensity innings that anyone could have anticipated.

It is no secret that bullpens can play an integral part on the postseason stage. Look no further than the Royals of recent Octobers to see how far an overpowering relief corps can take a team. Given the way things went down the stretch for the Tribe, manager Terry Francona's bullpen army is more than prepped for what could be coming.

"I doubt any other bullpen is more prepared," Indians relief ace Andrew Miller said, "for that mentality of going out there and expecting to have to cover seven or eight innings. Ideally, our starters pitch well and pitch deep. But, there might be some days where we have to use everybody out there."

The Indians, who will host the Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, TBS), ended the regular season with a league-leading seven games that included at least eight pitchers. Four of those games came in September, when the Indians lost starters Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco to injuries.

In the wake of those injuries, and while trying to work through Josh Tomlin's search for consistency after a rough August, the Indians had three designated bullpen days in the final month. Then there was Sept. 17, when Carrasco left after only two pitches after being hit on the right hand by a line drive. In that game, the bullpen patched together 10 shutout innings en route to a 1-0 win over the Tigers.

On the season, the Indians had 30 games in which their starter went no more than four innings. Ten of those games came in September, and Cleveland still managed an 18-11 record over the season's final month.

"The way the bullpen has kind of come together," said Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, "and been used in the course of the last six weeks really had a playoff-type environment to it, or feel to it. So, I think our guys are really prepared going into the postseason and positioned to be successful."

A lot of the Indians' success as a bullpen came after Miller was acquired via trade from the Yankees on July 31.

With Miller in the fold, Francona has been better able to mix and match his relief options in the most opportune situations. Miller can handle a lot of the tough left-handed hitters, allowing the manager to pinpoint better stretches of lineup to utiliize right-handers Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Dan Otero and Zach McAllister. Helping matters is the fact that each of those pitchers has shown a willingness to log mulit-inning efforts, if needed.

Since Miller joined the fold, Cleveland top five relief arms -- including Allen, Shaw, Otero and McAllister -- have combined for a 1.76 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a .192/.235/.287 opponents' slash line over 127 2/3 innings. That includes 142 strikeouts against 26 walks. Behind that group, Cleveland will feature Mike Clevinger, Cody Anderson and Jeff Manship on the ALDS roster.

If the Indians only get four or five innings from their starter -- a possibility in the high-pressure environment of the postseason -- the team is confident it has the arms to make up the difference.
"We've done it multiple times, especially in September," Shaw said. "We had some guys with quick hooks. I think there were a couple times with bullpen days. We're always ready, whether it's the first inning or the ninth inning."

Pulls Bauer at 5 2/3 for Miller. Interesting.

And Miller gives up a Double.

Funny I thought Bauer was getting settled in and would go to 7. Guess he wanted to save him for Game 4????? He was only at 78 pitches.

And now Miller walks Betts to get to Ortiz.......that's thinking.