NEW YORK – Alex Cobb and Tanner Bibee will start in Games 1 and 2 for the Cleveland Guardians against the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

In Monday's series opener, Cobb will face left-hander Carlos Rodón, who Cleveland pursued in free agency before ultimately signing with the San Francisco Giants in March 2022. Rodón threw a no-hitter against Cleveland in April 2021.

For Cobb, it is his second start in the postseason and the fourth of his career. He made two starts for the Tampa Bay Rays in October 2013 and then waited 11 years for his next October appearance.

The Guardians acquired Cobb at the trade deadline for two prospects. He had not yet made his 2024 debut due to hip, shoulder and finger injuries. He joined his new team, made two starts, and then tore the fingernail on his right index finger, which landed him back on the injured list. He returned on September 1, but then developed a blister on his right middle finger.

After another six weeks on the sidelines, the Guardians dusted him off and sent him to the mound for Game 3 of the ALDS in Detroit. He logged three innings before passing the ball to Cleveland's deep bullpen.

“The bike was there. “The stuff was there,” manager Stephen Vogt said on Sunday. “Alex has been playing in this league for a long time and we trust him to take the ball.”

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Bibee will face Yankees star Gerrit Cole on Tuesday night in Game 2 in the Bronx, a rematch of Bibee's second major league start in May 2023. Bibee allowed two runs over 8 2/3 innings in his two starts against the Detroit Tigers the ALDS. He said he felt like he had a “blockage” in his stomach as his first playoff start of his career approached, but he insisted his nerves were far more manageable as he took the mound a second time conquered in the series.

In the ALCS, the Guardians may need to rely more heavily on their starters. The club's bullpen – which posted the league's best ERA by a wide margin during the regular season – covered 25 2/3 of the team's 44 innings in the ALDS. Relievers Cade Smith and Tim Herrin appeared in all five games of the series.

This approach may not be as practical in the ALCS, as there are only days off between Games 2 and 3 and Games 5 and 6. In the ALDS, the Guardians and Tigers benefited from rest days between games, with the exception of Games 3 and 4 at Comerica Park.

Matthew Boyd, another midseason addition to the Guardians, is expected to start Game 3 of the ALCS on Thursday at Progressive Field. The club needs another starter for Game 4, with Gavin Williams, Ben Lively and Joey Cantillo as possibilities.

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(Photo by Alex Cobb: David Reginek / Imagn Images)