Slade Cecconi role change shows just how much of a better spot Guardians are in this postseason

Last fall the Cleveland Guardians season came down to a start from Slade Cecconi in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Tigers.

It was an unfavorable place to be, but it was the position they had backed themselves into a corner following a lethargic performance in Game 1 of the series.

Cecconi may not have been the reason the Guardians ended up losing the deciding game to the Tigers, but his truncated 2 1/3 inning start sure didn’t help. 

But this year Cecconi’s role will be completely different (if he’s even on the roster), which shows how much of a better spot the Guardians’ pitching staff is in this season compared to last year. 

The Guardians won't need to rely on Slade Cecconi this postseason

Cecconi spent most of this season continuing to work out of the Guardians’ rotation before shifting to the bullpen after Cleveland acquired Foster Griffin. 

He made two appearances out of the ‘pen in August before going on the injured list with an arm injury that seemed to stem from his role shift, and returned in September to the tune of a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings across five apperances.

Cecconi filled a valuable role as the longman in the bullpen, but there may not be enough room in the inn for him in the ALDS thanks to the way the series schedule shakes out.

The Guardians would be able to start Parker Messick and Gavin Williams on normal rest in four of the five games in the series which means they only need one more starter to fill the rest of the series. 

That will push either Tanner Bibee or Foster Griffin out of the rotation while likely bumping Cecconi off the postseason roster. 

The Guardians acquired Griffin at the deadline in the hopes that he could be an impact starter in the postseason, but he had kind of an up-and-down regular season in Cleveland (though he finished it on a high note with his start against the Red Sox). 

The same kind of logic applies to Bibee, who led baseball with 15 losses but finished the year with a quality start against the Royals that helped the Guardians lock up a postseason spot. 

Neither of them may start a deciding Game 5 (that could go to whoever started Game 2), but there’s a good chance the Guardians’ season could come down to Griffin or Bibee picking up some big outs in their designated pocket. 

That’s a clear advantage over how things shook out for the Guardians' pitching staff in last year's postseason.

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