It's bad news, but good news for two postseason hopefuls: Guardians takeaways

ST. LOUIS — A day after the Guardians clinched a playoff spot, the business of baseball resumed for manager Stephen Vogt, his coaches and players.

Vogt, management and his staff have discussed what their postseason rotation will look like. With eight games remaining in the regular season, it’s looking more and more like Alex Cobb will be lucky to be part of it.

Cobb was scheduled to pitch a simulated game for Class AAA Columbus on Thursday at Toledo, but that was canceled.

“Blister’s not ready to throw yet,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “He’s going to start bulking up before he plays. He’s not quite ready to throw yet.”

The news is better for Gold Glove winner Steven Kwan. The All-Star left fielder, who was doing running drills at Busch Stadium Friday afternoon, is expected to be removed from the injured list Tuesday.

“We’re aiming for Tuesday,” Vogt said. “His progressive agenda is going well.”

Angel Martinez did a good job replacing Kwan in leadoff and left field.

It was a season to forget for Cobb, who began on the injured list after left hip surgery while playing for the Giants. The Guardians traded him at the July 30 deadline, even though he hadn’t pitched a major league pitch all season.

Cobb (2-1, 2.76 ERA) has made three solid starts for the Guardians, but he can’t stay off the injured list. He tore the nail on his right index finger during his first trip to the injured list. He returned on Sept. 1 and retired 18 straight Pirates players in a 6-1 victory. But during the game, he developed a blister on the middle finger of his right hand and hasn’t pitched since.

Time is all Cobb needs, and it’s in short supply. There are 10 days left until the end of the season. If the Guardians hold on to their spot among the two teams with the best record in the American League, they’ll earn a first-round bye and advance directly to the American Division Series.

The ALDS begins Oct. 5, and the best-of-three wild-card round begins Oct. 1. It’s unclear if that will be enough to prepare Cobb.

Cleveland’s top three starters could be Tanner Bibee, Matthew Boyd and Gavin Williams. Ben Lively, who entered Friday’s game against the Cardinals with 12 wins under his belt, is another possibility. So is starting left-hander Joey Cantillo.

Regardless of which team gets the call, the Guardians’ bullpen will play a big role in determining their playoff progress.

This is Kwan’s second trip to the IL this season. He’s had a season of extremes. He was hitting .352 (99-for-281) with nine homers and 27 RBIs at the All-Star break.

Since the break, Kwan is hitting .201 (39-for-194) with four homers and 16 RBIs.

Celebrate the good times

The Guardians’ charter flight from Cleveland to St. Louis after Thursday’s clinching game against the Twins was “loud and noisy,” Vogt said.

When the Guardians arrived at their hotel, everyone headed to a team dinner at Morton’s Steak House.

Here’s what needs to happen for the Guardians to win the AL Central.

They can clinch the Central on Saturday if they win Friday and Saturday against St. Louis and if Kansas City loses once to the Giants on Friday or Saturday.

Or they can secure the AL Central division with a win Friday or Saturday combined with a Kansas City loss Friday and Saturday to San Francisco.

Trust

A look through the Guardians’ lockers in the visitors’ locker room at Busch Stadium on Friday revealed a pair of yellow glasses in nearly every locker. They were the same glasses they wore during Thursday’s victory celebration.

Do they know something we don’t?