Guardians Announce ALCS Roster With One Major Change

The Cleveland Guardians advanced to the ALCS after winning three straight games in the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox, pulling off a 2-0 comeback. 

The Guardians showed resiliency throughout the series and will now take on the Tampa Bay Rays with a chance to advance to the World Series. Cleveland is making one change to their roster from the ALDS to the ALCS, as Daniel Schneemann won't be on the roster, with Slade Cecconi replacing him.

It makes sense for the Guardians to add another pitcher to the roster, giving them more options out of the bullpen. Schneemann did not make an appearance in the ALDS after slashing .210/.276/.332 with seven home runs, 11 doubles, 30 RBIs, seven stolen bases, and a .608 OPS in the regular season.

Cecconi gives them another arm, posting a 4.91 ERA with 99 strikeouts, 39 walks, and a 1.430 WHIP. The 27-year-old may not be used much against the Rays, but having another pitcher for a best-of-seven series is the right move for Cleveland.

The Guardians had a strong pitching performance in Game 5 against the White Sox. Gavin Williams went 5.2 innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out 12. The bullpen was strong as well, with Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, and Cade Smith combining for the final 3.1 innings, allowing two hits, no walks, and no runs.

In Game 1 of the ALCS, Cleveland will look for a repeat performance with Foster Griffin on the mound against Drew Rasmussen. Griffin pitched 2.2 innings of relief in the ALDS, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out seven. 

They will need him to replicate this success in Game 1 against an elite starter in Rasmussen. Rasmussen appeared in one game in the ALDS against the New York Yankees, going eight innings, allowing just one hit while striking out 10.

The Guardians lineup struggled early in the series against Chicago before scoring nine runs in Game 3 and Game 4. Cleveland will need this kind of production against Tampa Bay to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2016. 

José Ramírez will be a big part of the offense, as he slashed .278/.409/.778 with two home runs, a double, a triple, seven RBIs, six runs, and a 1.187 OPS in the ALDS.

The Guardians have a strong roster, and their pitching staff has been consistent in the postseason. With the addition of Cecconi to the roster, Stephen Vogt has another option out of the bullpen to stifle the Rays' lineup.