Indians Manager Terry Francona Sheds Some Light on the Playoff Rotation For the ALDS

Indians fans have a better clue today on who they are going to see a week from Friday as far as the pitching rotation is concerned for the upcoming playoff matchup against the Houston Astros.

Tribe manager Terry Francona stated today that Mike Clevinger is in the cards to start game three of the ALDS against Houston, which could come as a surprise to many who felt that the ball would go to Trevor Bauer, who started the game against Chicago on Tuesday night.

The thought for now is that game one will be Corey Kluber, with Carlos Carrasco going in game two, Clevinger in game three, which would be Monday October 8th at Progressive Field, and then game four could either be Kluber again, or maybe that would be the game Bauer gets the ball as the starter.

Francona also stated that Bauer will not start the regular season finale Sunday against the Royals in K.C., but now it will be Carrasco, with Bauer coming out of the pen.

Clevinger is 12-8 this season with a 3.07 ERA. Bauer following Tuesday’s game is 12-6 with a 2.26 ERA.

Francona said Carrasco will start Sunday, with Bauer getting his work in out of the bullpen behind him. Sounds like Mike Clevinger is in the plans for Game 3 of the ALDS. Tito said Tribe still sorting through plans for Bauer.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 26, 2018