Sonny Gray To Start The Opener Of The ALDS As New York Visits Cleveland

Sonny Gray who was acquired from Oakland at the July 31st trade deadline will get his first taste of what it's like to play for New York in the postseason when he gets the ball for game one of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field as New York takes on Cleveland.

 In this brave new world in which the Indians -- the team with the longest World Series championship drought of any in baseball -- are the established postseason juggernaut and the Yankees -- the team with more championships than any team in baseball -- are the unexpected October entrant, an intriguing and attractive American League Division Series presented by Doosan awaits. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

The Indians got to tonight's Game 1 at Progressive Field (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1) pretty much as expected, living up to their promise and potential in the wake of last year's crushing World Series Game 7 loss to the Cubs with an all-in effort that included the famous 22-game win streak and a not-so-random roll to the AL Central title. The Yankees, on the other hand, got here arguably ahead of schedule, largely on the back of an insane rookie season from Aaron Judge, whose huge home run helped seal an 8-4 AL Wild Card Game win over the Twins on Tuesday. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

Regardless of how they got here, what they bring us is a matchup of loaded lineups, bruising bullpens and a little personal history mixed in. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

Maybe the midges from the 2007 ALDS between these two teams will even make an appearance for old time's sake. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

"It's an exciting time," Yankees starter Sonny Gray said. "It's going to be an exciting game." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

With all due respect to Gray and the Tribe's surprise Game 1 starter Trevor Bauer, it seems bullpens will be a clear key to this series. The Indians are so confident in the depth of their staff that they've opted to push AL Cy Young Award favorite Corey Kluber to Game 2. The expectation is that Bauer will essentially share the game with a deep Tribe 'pen in which would-be starters Danny Salazar and Mike Clevinger and superb setup man -- and former Yankee -- Andrew Miller can shorten things up. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

"We're going to get to our bullpen if we have a lead," manager Terry Francona said."according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

Gray made his Yankees debut against the Indians in this building in August. The Yanks will also turn to former Tribe ace CC Sabathia in Game 2. But as the Yankees demonstrated in the wild Wild Card Game, in which starter Luis Severino recorded only one out and Chad Green, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Aroldis Chapman combined to allow just one run the rest of the way, they can win even if they don't get a strong performance from their starter. "according tohttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

"Think about what we did in '96 with Mariano Rivera [seven multi-inning appearances in the postseason]," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's hard for starters a lot of times to get through a lot of innings, because there's tough at-bats, because they're good teams, and you do have to rely on your bullpen a lot. We have a wonderful mix down there with guys that we can do it with." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

The Indians got a lot of love last year for the way they employed their 'pen -- and especially Miller, whom they had acquired in a midseason trade with the Yankees -- en route to the World Series, but the Yanks joined them this year in having a relief corps that struck out north of 10 batters per nine. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

"They're probably about as good as it gets," Miller said. "It's a strength of their team, and I think it's something that they're going to rely heavily on." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

Of course, the bullpens have their work cut out for them, too. The Indians' balanced lineup has the amazing up-the-middle talents of Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, who both reached the 80 extra-base-hit mark this year, as well as offseason acquisition Edwin Encarnacion and in-season acquisition Jay Bruce (whom the Yankees also attempted to acquire from the crosstown Mets). Stoked by Judge's historic rookie year and Gary Sanchez's strong sophomore effort, the Yanks had the highest home run total in the game (241) and continued to live by the long ball against the Twins. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

"They might strike out a little bit more, but there's guys from top to bottom that can hit the ball out of the park and do some special things that way," Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. "The key against them is not to allow three baserunners. Make sure you don't walk guys, and limit the damage." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

Though this is a rare instance in which the Indians are the favorites and the Yankees are the pesky underdog, this is the fourth time the Tribe and Yanks have met on the postseason stage, joining the 1997 ALDS, '98 AL Championship Series and 2007 ALDS of "Bug Game" fame. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

Hard to see the bugs coming back, but it's easy to see a scintillating set developing between these two AL powers. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20171004257349138/indians-yanks-start-alds-with-pens-in-spotlight/?game_pk=526477

As for how the two teams got to this point,

New York beat Minnesota in the American League Wild Card Game with the help of their bullpen.

It looked anything but pretty Tuesday night when twenty-three-year-old right-hander Luis Severino took the mound in the American League Wild Card game for New York at Yankee Stadium against Minnesota in his first postseason start as he unraveled quickly. 

It took the trio of Chad Green, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle to shutMinnesota down after a disastrous start by Luis Severino with Aroldis Chapman to finish the job.

The "Baby Bombers" punched their ticket for a showdown with the Indians in the American League Division Series presented by Doosan, with Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge all homering to overcome Luis Severino's first-inning exit, leading the Yankees to an 8-4 victory over the Twins on Tuesday in the AL Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

On an electric evening in The Bronx, the Yankees celebrated their first playoff victory since 2012, knocking Twins starter Ervin Santana out after just two innings. Gregorius launched a game-tying three-run homer in the first, Gardner cracked a go-ahead blast in the second and Judge mashed a two-run laser off Jose Berrios in the fourth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

"We got the fans and everybody right back in the game, and from there, we kept it going," Gregorius said. "That just shows how good we are as a team. It's amazing how we feed off each other. It's a team that never gives up." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

Judge's homer provided the necessary support, while manager Joe Girardi was forced to lean on his bullpen to record 26 outs behind Severino, who permitted three runs and notched just one out. Severino's departure left the Yanks in the position of needing to become the first team since the 1925 Pirates to win a winner-take-all postseason game while getting one out or fewer from its starting pitcher. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

I just wanted to do everything I could to help our team win," said David Robertson, who notched career highs with 3 1/3 innings and 52 pitches. "I felt like everyone was on board, and no one wanted the season to end tonight." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

Yankees relievers held the Twins to one run over 8 2/3 innings, striking out 13. Chad Green answered the call first, firing two strong innings, and Robertson was splendid in getting the ball to Tommy Kahnle, who worked 2 1/3 clean frames. Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth inning to send the Yanks to the ALDS. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

Minnesota got an immediate lift from Brian Dozier's leadoff homer, the first ever hit in a Wild Card Game, and Eddie Rosario's two-run shot later in the frame threatened to take the juice out of the building. But the Stadium thundered back to life as Santana couldn't hold that lead, and the Yankees added three runs in three innings against Berrios. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

"It was a heck of a game, particularly the start," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "It's a good feeling to know that you have a chance to play with a lead, and you've got your best pitcher out there. But it was kind of a struggle from the start. As for Ervin just missing spots, we had a good plan, we just didn't execute it particularly well." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

The Yanks improved to 13-2 all-time in the postseason against the Twins, and New York has won 10 consecutive postseason games against Minnesota, dating back to Game 2 of the 2004 AL Division Series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

Making the first postseason appearance of his life at any level, Severino lasted just 29 pitches before yielding to the bullpen, trailing by three runs after Dozier's leadoff homer and Rosario's two-run shot. The Yankees answered immediately in the home half of the first, as Gardner walked and Judge flared a soft single to center field. One out later, Gregorius launched a three-run blast into the right-field seats, marking the shortstop's first career postseason homer. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

We wanted that momentum to stay our way," Gregorius said. "When we ended up tying the game in the first, that meant a lot for us, for the fans and the guys in the dugout. It was just amazing. From there, we kept scoring and that helped us to win the game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

 The Yankees claimed their first lead in the second, as Gardner was buzzed up and in by a Santana fastball, then dropped his bat to watch after cracking the next pitch into the second deck in right field. The Twins tied the game in the third as Byron Buxton legged out a run-scoring fielder's choice, but Gary Sanchez doubled and scored on a Greg Bird single in the home half of the third, providing a lead that the Yanks would not relinquish. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

There's a lot on the line in a one-game playoff like this. Anything can happen," Gardner said. "As we found out two years ago, it can all come and go pretty quick, and everything can be done. To be able to move on, it means a lot. I know that all of our guys are super excited about that." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

Already a lock for the AL Rookie of the Year Award and one of the front-runners for the AL Most Valuable Player Award, Judge added another memorable moment to his season tally with his first postseason home run, a two-run shot to left field off Berrios that gave New York a 7-4 lead. According to Statcast™, Judge's homer left the bat at 108.1 mph and was projected at 386 feet. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

"He's just very intimidating -- the size and the strength," Molitor said. "There's just a very small margin of error." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

"Even though we hate that it happened and we're going home unsatisfied, we learned things. We learned about how the energy is going to be in playoff games. We're a young team that's just scratching the surface to win many more years." -- Dozier "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

"It might have been the best atmosphere I've ever been a part of here. Our fans were just electric all night. That's one of the reasons we play so well here at home. I think our team is built for this ballpark, but I think our fans make a big difference." -- Gardner "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

Judge became just the third Yankees player to homer in his postseason debut, joining Elston Howard (1955) and Shane Spencer ('98), and the first Yanks rookie to homer in the postseason since Hideki Matsui (2003).  "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

Buxton was replaced defensively by Zack Granite for the bottom of the fourth, two innings after Minnesota's center fielder slammed his back into the wall taking an extra-base hit away from Todd Frazier. Buxton left with upper back tightness." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/257321132/yanks-beat-twins-to-reach-alds-against-indians/

As for Cleveland's last game, They ended the regular season with a win over the Chicago White Sox.

With the postseason right around the corner, the American League Central-champion Indians put the finishing touch on their regular season with a 3-1 victory over the White Sox on Sunday at Progressive Field.  "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

The Indians (102-60) will now shift their focus to the avenging last season's World Series loss to the Cubs. The Tribe will host Game 1 of the American League Division Series presented by Doosan at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday (FS1) at Progressive Field against the winner of Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game between the Twins and the Yankees. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

"Now we have, hopefully, more challenges," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "… It'll be time to turn the page quickly, and we start preparing for the next challenge." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

With his spot on the Indians' postseason roster in question, Indians starter Josh Tomlin made a strong final case for himself after 5 1/3 strong innings. He allowed one run on four hits, didn't issue a walk and struck out six. Tomlin picked up his 10th win of the season, giving him double-digit wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in his career. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

"I thought he was crisp and sharp," Francona said of Tomlin. "That was a really good day to pitch. With the shadows, they're so -- I don't want to say blatant -- but they're just so contrasting, and he mixed his speeds real well and he had a breaking ball from the beginning." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

Cleveland scored all of its runs in the first inning against Chicago starter Chris Volstad. Jay Bruce connected for a two-run single, and Carlos Santana added a sacrifice fly to score Jose Ramirez, who hit his MLB-leading 56th double of the season. Ramirez is only the 17th player ever to reach 56 doubles, and the first since Brian Roberts in 2009. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

With one out in the eighth inning, Francona took Ramirez and shortstop Francisco Lindor out of the ballgame. When their names were announced, the Progressive Field crowd offered a standing ovation for the two All-Stars. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

I thought both of them together at the same time, and they had such good years," Francona said. "I think they were both ready to finish the game, which is not atypical. But I thought it was good to let the fans acknowledge [them]. You can't do something like that very often, but today's the one day out of the year where maybe you can." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

In only his second start with the White Sox, and his second since the end of 2012, Volstad took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and four walks in six innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

The only run Chicago brought across came on Rob Brantly's solo home run to right off Tomlin in the fifth. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

After Volstad issued three straight walks to start his outing, Bruce stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one down. The Indians' right fielder connected on an 0-1 sinker on the inner part of the plate and hit a 108-mph liner, per Statcast™, to right for a base hit, scoring Lindor and Jason Kipnis. The two-run single gave Bruce RBIs Nos. 100 and 101 on the season, marking the second time in his career that he has reached the 100-RBI mark. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

Going into the fifth inning, Tomlin had set down 12 of the first 13 batters he faced, including 11 in a row. That changed when Brantly drilled Tomlin's third pitch of the frame -- a 1-1 curveball -- over the fence in right for a solo homer. Two batters later, Rymer Liriano hit a one-out double off the wall in center and later moved to third on a flyout. He would not get any further, though, as Tomlin struck out Adam Engel looking with a 2-2 sinker to end the threat."according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

"You obviously want to take a step forward going into the playoffs," Tomlin said. "And fortunate enough for us, I was able to do that [today], and we won the game." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

"This is when the fun begins. This is when the work begins, and this is when it becomes one of those things where you come to the ballpark excited every single day. Not that you don't regardless, but these are the games you've played the whole regular season to get to, and now they're here. It's becoming exciting for us." -- Tomlin, on heading into the postseason "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

"It was pretty cool. Pretty cool. It was a cool moment. I thank the fans. They came out today and supported us. We put on a show for them, for sure." -- Lindor, on the standing ovations from the fans "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

Indians reliever Tyler Olson entered the game to face one batter, Brantly, in the seventh inning and struck out the Chicago catcher on four pitches. With the scoreless appearance, Olson has now gone the most games (30) and innings pitched (20) without allowing a run or an earned run in a full season in MLB history. The left-hander passed Eric Gunderson in games (14 in 1994) and Karl Spooner in innings pitched (18 in '54) without allowing a run. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

"I think a lot of it goes to the way that I was used," Olson said, "the way Tito put me into situations and trusting that I can go out there and get the job done. A lot of it goes to our bullpen as well. They were in spots where I got picked up by them as well. You know, it's pretty cool." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

Jose Abreu didn't get a hit in Sunday's finale, but he still finished as the AL leader in total bases at 343, edging out Ramirez at 341. Abreu joins Albert Belle in 1998 (399), Minnie Minoso in '54 (304) and Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1916 (293) as the only White Sox to lead the league in total bases. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

"He's been actually excellent to have as a teammate, and as a competitor, he's everything you would want," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said of Abreu. "He's a man who is growing into and being more comfortable in his own skin. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

Avisail Garcia, who didn't play Sunday, finished second in the AL in hitting at .330. "according tohttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/257011230/indians-beat-white-sox-to-end-regular-season/?game_pk=492517

Right -hander Sonny Gray will get the start for New York. He has a record of 10-12 with a 3.55 earn run average. Gray posted slightly worse numbers for the Yankees 3.72 earn run average with a 1.26 WHIP after the A's sent him to the Yankees at the Trade Deadline. But the right -hander fared well in his lone postseasonstart with Oakland, allowing three earned runs over two starts. He will oppose Cleveland right -hander Trevor Bauer who has a record of 17-9 with a 4.19 earn run average.

Bauer is coming off the best regular season of his career, reaching a career high in wins (17)  and strikeouts (196). He has gone 10-4 with a 3.93 earn run average at home this season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-indians/2017/10/05/526477#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526477

Will Sonny Gray pitch a good game in his first postseason start with New York? Will the Cleveland Indians be able to get their offense going against him? Will the New York offense be able to give Sonny Gray run support in this postseason start unlike they did in the regular season and get their offense going against Trevor Bauer? Will the bullpen's become a big factor in game one? Which bullpen will give their team the best chance to win?

First pitch is set for 7:30 pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1. "according to  https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-indians/2017/10/05/526477#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526477