CLEVELAND — Every October, a familiar dilemma arises: how do teams with first-round byes strike a balance between rest and staying sharp?
The Guardians and New York Yankees have secured the top two seeds in the American League playoffs, allowing them to bypass the three-game wild card series that teams seeded 3-6 must compete in. This means the Guardians can avoid three games and potentially save around 27 innings for their pitching staff.
However, this situation leaves the Guardians with five consecutive days off between their regular-season finale on Sunday and Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Pitchers will not follow their usual routines going into the series, particularly since the Guardians are wrapping up the regular season against the Houston Astros, their likely ALDS opponent. For instance, Tanner Bibee and Matthew Boyd will opt for simulated games instead of facing Houston this weekend.
The debate often centers on what’s more beneficial: taking a break or maintaining rhythm, even if it requires playing two or three additional games. Last year, three out of four teams with first-round byes were eliminated.
