The Cleveland Guardians are making final preparations for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers and have announced their playoff roster, which notably excludes some key players.
Players like Nick Sandlin, Pedro Avila, Angel Martinez, and Ben Lively were left off, allowing Tyler Freeman and Alex Cobb to return to the roster for this round.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged the difficult decisions involved in shaping the roster, providing insight into their strategy. He explained, “For us, it’s about maximizing matchups. With 14 position players, we can effectively manage bullpen games and consistently find favorable matchups throughout the game. We have a strong group of position players to draw from.”
Vogt noted the importance of versatility in their selections: “We had to make some tough choices, but we wanted as many adaptable players as possible. Having Tyler Freeman and Daniel Schneemann, who can play multiple positions, gives us the flexibility we need.”
Given the Tigers’ strong left-handed pitching, Vogt emphasized that a right-handed bat like Freeman could be crucial in pinch-hitting situations. Freeman’s ability to play various positions adds to his value.
One significant absence from the pitching roster is Ben Lively, who had been part of the rotation throughout the season. Regarding the pitching staff, Vogt stated, “The structure of this five-game series over a week allows us to rely on our bullpen in later innings. With options like Gavin Williams and Joey Cantillo in the bullpen, we can implement strategies that may not have been feasible during the regular season.”
The Guardians are clearly focusing on specific matchups for both their offense and defense in this series. It will be interesting to see how these decisions play out in the early games.
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