Guardians-Tigers ALDS Preview: Roster Projection, Key Matchups, Series Predictions, Tito to the Reds

Guardians-Tigers ALDS Game 1 is almost upon us.
Today's show tries to predict how the Guardians will line up their roster for the ALDS matchup with the Tigers. Will they carry 11 or 12 pitchers? Who will be the 12th if they do? Who would be the extra bench player if it's 11.
Segment 2 breaks down how the Guardians pitching might attack the Tigers lineup.
Segment 3 discusses the keys to ALDS Game 1 and the series. Can Tanner Bibee channel his adrenaline and keep the Tigers off his fastball? How will the Guardians deploy their relievers behind Bibee and later in the series? Can they get a lead late?
We quickly give our ALDS predictions for Guardians-Tiger before discussing the Reds hiring Terry Francona as their new manager and what that means for the vaunted Ohio Cup and for the Guardians front office/coaches/fans.
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#guardians #ClevelandGuardians #MLB

[@zivohel]

Great last 2 shows with great info. Really keeping my fingers crossed for a series victory

[@LockedonGuardians]

Thank you for the kind words

[@zivohel]

@@LockedonGuardians Of course and like always, well deserved.

[@Nmiller-s7v]

Great work as always guys, you are always my first listen on the way to work in the morning keep it up.

[@GuardianofClevelandHeights]

That was me on the Gavin Williams vs Detroit data, haha. Looking a little more at the 3 games Gavin pitched vs. Detroit, there may been some batted ball luck involved. Looks like a lot of hard hit balls and maybe Detroit didn't score as many runs as they should have in that set of games. Interestingly enough given what you guys went over today, Gavin's best outing overall was the third one I think (July 30, 5-0 Guards win) where he relied more heavily on his four-seamer at the expense of changeup and slider.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Yup wanted to give credit but I feel like your name has had a few changes I could picture you icon just not your name

[@GuardianofClevelandHeights]

@@LockedonGuardians haha…I’ve been changing some of my usernames across social media. I’m 54. The further away I get from Florida State, the weaker that connection gets and the stronger the connection to my hometown gets.

[@thomaswilley380]

I think they need more arms than bats. Remember, no ghost runner in extra innings. I don’t want to see David fry on the mound again.

[@GuardianofClevelandHeights]

good point on the no ghost runner rule in the playoffs.

[@dbcollings5739]

@thomaswilley380 Why David Fry on the mound when you have Austin Hedges? Lol!

[@LockedonGuardians]

That's where I am you have to plan for depth even if you don't use it

[@TheKLeifheit13]

Roster wise I've got this: Kwan Manzo Jose Josh Thomas Gimi Brennan Bo Rocchio Fry Noel Hedgie Martinez Arias Bibee Boyd Cobb Williams Morgan Herrin Smith Gaddis Clase Sabrowski Walters Cantillo Arias is solid defensively and his power will scare pitchers like Noel's. Martinez > Schneem in all regards and Arias covers short

[@ColinMilota]

What about lively? He has been pitching all year so Im expecting him to be on the 26 man.

[@TheKLeifheit13]

@@ColinMilota he's been rough the 2nd half. But if he makes it he probably takes either Walters' or Sabrowski's spot and I wouldn't be keen to add a 5th starter with weak stuff in place of a 0.00 ERA reliever

[@landonkim1379]

I really don’t see arias being on there

[@TheKLeifheit13]

@@landonkim1379 I don't either, but he would make sense

[@LockedonGuardians]

I would be all for arias over schneeman just for defense alone

[@jffagan]

Great show as always gentlemen. Cantillo needs to make this team because of how the Tigers do against lefties. I also agree with Jeff, the bench is really going to be a non factor when you get to the end of it. Just not enough people that come through. Brennan 6/13, Fry 6/28, and Manzardo 4/14 in pitch hitting duty. Everyone else is pretty bleak. Amazing we all remember the Big Christmas pitch hit HR, it was his only one in 14 opportunities.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Don't look at big Christmas September numbers it's been bad

[@GISWIZ99]

I think we need Manzardo on this roster. He was a top 3 hitter for us in September. I understand we need that outfield depth via Martinez or Straw, but I just can't imagine leaving Manzardo off this roster with how he's played last month. I love Big Christmas, but based on recent trends, I'd much rather have Manzardo's bat in the lineup at this point.

[@landonkim1379]

Manzardo is on 100 percent that’s not even a question

[@GISWIZ99]

I thought I didn't hear the guys mention him, just checked again and Justin said his name while Jeff jumped in so I must've missed it the first time around lol ​@@landonkim1379

[@LockedonGuardians]

He has to be on it don't see a way he doesn't

[@kaeleenwescoat-oneill3755]

They can do it! I’m all in. Like Jeff said, let’s go get it!! I read Kwan’s article and it made me teary eyed and excited! I’ve got butterflies and belief. I’ll be in the bleachers with my dad game 1, cheering my face off!

[@LockedonGuardians]

Yup they should be able to take it the bullpen gives them a chance in every series

[@scottcecil5441]

Happy for Tito. Have never had any other team in the Majors that i actively followed and rooted for but the reds might become my number two team behind Cleveland. Love that they are national league

[@LockedonGuardians]

I have no issue at all with him doing it

[@jaked6746]

I’ve been praying to Jobu & the Baseball Gods. Things have been sacrificed. October is here. Roll Fuggin Tribe baby.

[@glenlongwell2216]

I think adding straw is a bit too clever by half just who you’ve got and dont risk Hedges and Straw batting in thr same order

[@GuardianofClevelandHeights]

I don't know, a vet like Straw in late innings for defense and baserunning...I wouldn't dismiss that so easily.

[@LockedonGuardians]

It's just to be a defensive ace basically

[@dbcollings5739]

Go, Go Guardians, Go. #FreeArias!

[@TheKLeifheit13]

@@dbcollings5739 he should make the roster but I'd give it a 1% chance it actually happens

[@LockedonGuardians]

Go go go

[@AndrewPolander]

Definitely 12 pitchers!!!

[@LockedonGuardians]

That's what they did

[@Andrew-i5y2e]

Tigers are so lucky Dr Sticks aka the slim reaper isnt available. His debut and his 8ks in a row sheeeeeesh, not to mention his near perfect game against tigers

[@LockedonGuardians]

He has just been too bad this year to be near a roster

[@Justin-pq3rq]

Detroit is the FIRST team in the history of MLB to make it this far without a 25 Homerun or 75 RBI guy. Their lineup is weak. We better beat them.

[@TS-yk8kb]

They just spanked the Astros with relief pitchers... The data doesn't work for these tigers. What they're achieving is nonsensical. The Tigers have already won in a sense.

[@LockedonGuardians]

They have been on a crazy heater at the right time, but part of that is due to carpenter being hurt so long

[@marianekalis1533]

We can only hope!

[@LionsAllDay]

Sandlin can stay home

[@LockedonGuardians]

Agreed

[@smokey_gator_239]

Devin Williams was tipping pitches.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Interesting has that been confirmed that stinks

[@smokey_gator_239]

@@LockedonGuardians Pretty much confirmed. Hate to promote other channels, but lip reading guy has a convincing video regarding the tipping.

[@brucelaird3978]

All the “experts” are buying in on Detroit. Not one so far picked the Guardians.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Saw athletic was 58 percent for guardians

[@vincentkrych2158]

Dont take the Tigers easy.

[@LockedonGuardians]

No one should

[@tominator3459]

Guardians haven't seen the new look Gritty Tigs. It will be like facing a whole new team. No more free outs anymore in the lineup. Tigs in 4

[@dionandrefrazier]

@tominator3459 put some money up then

[@drastik651]

The Guardians haven't seen this team? The last time they met Flaherty was pitching. We have seen this team... And beat them. Biggest thing we have going for us is our guys from Columbus that they can place on the roster. People tend to forget they play in the same league for Triple A. They slayed the mighty mud hens, and will take down the gritty kitties. Guards in 4.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Love the tigers but even over the last month there are some guys who have some firm holes

[@tominator3459]

@@LockedonGuardians absolutely but they have added 4 guys in the lineup and many arms in the bullpen that guardian hitters havent seen. The tigers have seen almost everything the guardians will throw out there and the hitters in the lineup. Look at the what the tigers bullpen did against the Astros and they are a better offensive team than CLE.

[@somedudeontwitterstalkedme3829]

When Tito brings his boys to Cleveland to play next season, his World Series ring giving ceremony is going to be epic.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Well put

[@somedudeontwitterstalkedme3829]

Just my humble opinion, but with a young team it is imperative that the Adults in the room, the Coaching staff, FO and Jose not allow stress or even worse panic to set in. This Team has played a certain way all year and when patient at the plate to get at least 6 pitches Guardians have been straight fire. The Guardians just need to relax, have fun, and continue playing for each other as they have all year. Let's remember: Guardians - Won 2 out of 3 games against the hot team Philly. Guardians - Minnesota, talking about reclaiming the division, Guardians won, and now everyone with me....... 1, 2, 3 Pawtucket vacation time for Minny Guardians - Kansas City, was considered the up-and-coming team, but the Guardians took the last series. Detroit's successful run was because they didn't play the Guardians and now they will. #GoGuardians I want to go through all the big cities Detrot, NY, LA, Philly, I want them to face all the big dawgs, I want no excuses at the end of this run. This is going to be fun,. *Guardians hit Skubal a lot, they just need to hit him when it matters.*

[@LockedonGuardians]

Agree they need to stay calm and do what has been successful all year long trust in the pen and take advantage of the lack of depth Detroit has in a longer series