CLEVELAND, Ohio — One of the best things about the postseason is the anticipation.
Who is going to do what? It could be a team or a player. The playoff canvas, awaiting the first pitch, doesn’t have a drop of paint on it
For instance is there a member of the Guardians who is going to have a Pete Alonso moment in the ALDS against the Tigers that begins Saturday afternoon?
Alonso, the Polar Bear, was in a terrible slump for the Mets even before they faced elimination Thursday in Game 3 of the NL wild card series against Milwaukee. When he came to bat in the top of the ninth inning, the Mets trailed, 2-0, and were down to their last two outs.
They had two runners on when Alonso hit a three-run homer into the right field seats for a 3-2 lead. The Mets would add another run as they advanced to the NLDS to face the Phillies on Saturday.
The wild card round is over. The Brewers were the only team to extend their series to three games. Houston, Baltimore and Atlanta all lost in two straight games.
The postseason can be one long New Year’s Eve Party for teams that win. Or as silent as the grave for teams that lose. Former Guardians manager Terry Francona used to say that you don’t ease into the end of a postseason run. You crash into the wall at 90 mph.
Speaking of Francona, it’s not surprising he’s back managing again. It is surprising that he’s taken over the Reds just over a year after he walked away from Cleveland as the winningest manager in team history.
Call this an educated guess, but when Cleveland hired Francona in 2013, it dramatically increased its payroll. The Reds will probably do the same because I don’t think Francona, 65, signed on for a rebuild.
This is no an educated guess: The battle for the Ohio Cup just got a lot more interesting. And a lot more fun.
Trivia time
To nervous to eat? It’s not even game day. Check the pantry. Donuts? No. Cereal? No. Nestles semi-sweet chocolate morsels with peanut butter? That’s the ticket. Before get out the door, consider this. What Guardians player had the highest batting average at home during the regular season? Answer below.
Sellouts
The Guardians announced that Game 1 and Game 2 of the ALDS are sellouts. If the best-of-five series returns to Cleveland for Game 5, the team announced that there are a limited number of tickets still available. Tickets are available online only at CLEGuardians.com/Postseason.
The Guards added that “additional inventory including Standing Room Only tickets may be released.”
Travis Fryman, Cleveland’s former All-Star third baseman, will throw out the first pitch on Saturday. Right-hander Josh Tomlin, who helped Cleveland reach the World Series in 2016, will throw out the first pitch for Game 2 on Monday.
The Guardians are asking fans to “Rock Your Red” to all postseason games. In other words, wear red to the games.
Postseason schedule
The Guardians open the ALDS on Saturday at Progressive Field. Game time is 1:08 p.m. They will play Game 2 on Monday at 4:08 p.m. Here is MLB’s updated postseason schedule.
What’s next?
Friday: The Guardians will workout at Progressive Field from 1 p.m. through 3 p.m. The Tigers will start their workout at 3:30 p.m.
Guardians scheduled for the interview room include Game 1 starter Tanner Bibee, catcher Austin Hedges, outfielder Lane Thomas and manager Stephen Vogt.
Tigers scheduled for the interview room include center fielder Parker Meadows, right-hander Will Vest, who may or may not be the Game 1 starter, and manager A.J. Hinch.
Saturday: All four division series are scheduled to begin. Besides the Guardians and Tigers, it will be Game 1 of the KC@Yankees at 4:08 p.m. Game 1 of Mets@Phils at 6:30 p.m. and Game 1 of the Padres@Dodgers starts at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: The Guardians and Tigers are off.
Monday: Game 2 between Tigers and Guardians at 4:08 p.m. at Progressive Field.
Trivia time: Steven Kwan led all Guardians’ hitters with a .309 (69 for 223) batting average at Progressive Field this year.
