The No. 2-seeded Guardians have quite a lot to sort through before Game 1 at Progressive Field on Saturday, when they'll face either the No. 3 Houston Astros or No. 6 Detroit Tigers. Cleveland can sit back and watch those two clubs in their wild card series, but some tough conversations will be happening at the same time.

Cleveland has secured the number two seed in the American League. This means they'll play the winner of the third and sixth seeds starting next Saturday. That will either be the Houston Astros or Detroit Tigers, who will play in the ALWS starting Tuesday this week.

The Guardians optioned Straw to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday to clear a spot for Kwan, though Vogt did acknowledge that Straw would be eligible to return for the ALDS, since there are 10 days between his demotion and Game 1. Straw spent the year at Triple A, came up for a week, participated in two champagne celebrations, then disappeared again.

The Guardians have a number of decisions to sort through when it comes to their pitching plans ahead of Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 5.

There's a very good chance that fans, coaches, scouts, and players are watching a potential preview of next weekend's ALDS. As it stands, the Guardians will take on the winner of the third and sixth seeds in the AL, which just so happens to be either the Kansas City Royals or the Houston Astros.

The map to the 2024 World Series is nearly complete but the Cleveland Guardians know its path to try and make its first Fall Classic since 2016. The AL Central champions earned the No. 2 seed in its half of the bracket after a 92-69 record for the regular season,

Here's everything you need to know as the MLB playoff field has been set as the Guardians embark on a playoff push.