Master of craft, Bauer ready for playoff stage

CLEVELAND — There really is no offseason for Trevor Bauer. There is a period of time on the calendar that does not include games, but the pitcher never stops working. For Bauer, baseball is indeed a science, and he is never done studying the physics and theories behind his craft.

Since Bauer came to Cleveland in a blockbuster trade four years ago, he has treated himself as a project. Overhauling his delivery — or rewriting his neuromuscular programming, as he once phrased it — took several years. Once he found a comfort level there, Bauer was better able to tackle his approach, pitch usage and velocity training. It has all led to this: Starting against the Red Sox in Game 1 of the American League Division Series (Thursday on TBS, 8 p.m. ET).

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“I really value my job as a starter. That’s what I’ve trained for my entire life,” Bauer said. “Literally, my entire life, that’s what I’ve trained to do. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a starter in the big leagues. And when I train, there’s certain things I do, certain sacrifices that I make to make sure that I’m durable and that I’m healthy and that I can be a starter.”

Bauer does not consider himself a finished product, but the right-hander does feel like he is in a great spot, both physically and mentally, as his Game 1 assignment looms. Given Cleveland’s starting setbacks of late, Bauer may just be the key to October success for the team. Injuries robbed the Indians of having Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar in the postseason rotation. A minor leg issue pushed ace Corey Kluber back to Game 2.

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 6 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 2 Oct. 7 4:30 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 TBD CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 TBD BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Complete Postseason coverage

Through all the problems, Bauer has continued to climb up the rotation ladder, showing that his unique training regimen is paying off. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway joked that the righty has “a rubber arm,” and that could be put to the test if the club needs Bauer to pitch on three days’ rest in a potential Game 4 at Fenway Park.

“Hopefully, the groundwork I’ve laid in the past offseason,” Bauer said, “and in the past couple years, all the way back to when I began pro ball and changed my mechanics, is paying dividends now. … I’m perfectly healthy, my arm feels great, my body feels great at his point in the year. I feel fresh. A lot of that is stuff people wouldn’t …

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