Cleveland Guardians Reveal Starting Lineup for ALCS Game 1

The Cleveland Guardians' celebration from their ALDS victory didn't last long. Forty-eight hours later, they were rested and ready to go for their ALCS matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field down in St. Petersburg.

Here is the lineup the Guardians will be going with Game 1 of the ALCS.

There are too many changes with Cleveland's first ALCS lineup compared to the nine it started with for the majority of the ALDS.

The two big areas of uncertainty heading into Game 1 were what Stephen Vogt would do behind the plate and in the outfield. 

Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey have each received a decent amount of time as the team's backstop so far in the playoffs. Part of that comes down to how well each catcher works with the team's starting pitcher.

However, to start Game 1, Vogt is opting to go with the switch-hitter behind the plate. Bailey has been quietly having a solid October in the batter's box, and Cleveland might not even be in this position without his ALDS Game 4 solo home run.

Hedges provides a lot in terms of defense and strategy, but it's all about riding the hot bat in October, and right now Bailey is swinging it.

For the second straight game, Vogt has opted to go with Petey Halpin in the lineup, while moving Angel Martinez into a bench role.

Martinez was one of Cleveland's best hitters during the regular season, but has no hits in 15 at-bats with eight strikeouts so far in the postseason.

On the other hand, Halpin earned another opportunity in the starting lineup after hitting two doubles during Game 5 of the ALDS.

Not to mention, his process and plate approach were just as impressive, which will be critical against this Rays team. Halpin is also one of the Guardians' best outfield defenders. It'll be interesting to see how he impacts the game on Monday night.

It also gives Cleveland a switch-hitter on the bench, which could always be crucial in a playoff game when matchups are paramount. 

On the pitching side of things, Foster Griffin will make his first career postseason start, and the fourth different arm Cleveland has used to open a game so far this October.

The Guardians' pitching has carried them this far, and Vogt is hoping Griffin can continue that trend in Game 1.

If Cleveland gets another impressive performance from its starter, and the lineup does just enough to give the pitching staff run support, the Guardians should be in a good spot to take an early ALCS lead.