Simulations, bullpen sessions and Cleveland’s approach to a long week off: Guardians breakfast

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians earned a break when they captured a bye into the American League Division Series, but that does not mean they are taking their foot off the gas this week while the Tigers and Astros face each other in the wild card series in Houston.

The next five days will be filled with simulated games, bullpen sessions and workouts at Progressive Field aimed at keeping players sharp ahead of Saturday's ALDS opener. Manager Stephen Vogt said he is confident the club has a good plan in place to make sure Cleveland is ready for its playoff opener, but the players have earned a bit of a rest to begin with.

"(Monday) we're going to give the guys a day off," Vogt said. "They've more than earned that. Then Tuesday through Friday we'll be getting after it. We're going to play sim games, we're going to be doing the basics. We're going to put them through workouts while also being mindful of the workload and trying to get them the recovery that they've earned with this bye."

Tanner Bibee, Cleveland's presumptive Game 1 starter, will throw a simulated game Monday around 2:30 p.m. Another simulated game, likely featuring a number of Guardians relief pitchers, will take place Tuesday. Workouts are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday before the Division Series opponent arrives on Friday to work out at the ballpark.

MLB has not yet released start times for the Division Series round, but if the schedule on MLB.com is any indication, the Guardians are likely to play around 4 p.m. in order to give the Yankees a prime time slot.

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Trivia time

ALDS schedule Cleveland will open play in the American League Division Series on Oct. 5 at a yet-to-be-determined time. Check out the complete MLB playoff schedule here .

What's nextMonday: Tanner Bibee will throw a simulated game at Progressive Field.

Tuesday: American League Wild Card Series gets underway in Houston. LHP Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39) will start for Detroit while the Astros send LHP Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91) to the mound. First pitch is set for 2:32 p.m. on ABC.

Wednesday: Wild Card Series Game 2 is set for 2:32 p.m. at Minute Maid Park. Detroit and Houston have not announced starters for the game.

Thursday: Game 3 of the Wild Card Series (if necessary) will take place in Houston.

Friday: The Guardians and their ALDS opponent will both work out at Progressive Field.

Oct. 5: The four division series, two in the AL, two in the NL, begin. The division series are the best-of-five.