The Cleveland Indians have finalized their roster for their American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.
And it's a former postseason hero who wound up with the final spot.
On Thursday, Indians manager Terry Francona revealed that the team will use its 25th and final postseason roster spot on outfielder Rajai Davis. One day prior, Francona had said Cleveland's ALDS roster was all but finalized, save for a decision to include either Davis or utility infielder Erik Gonzalez.
"Nobody has a crystal ball, but who could impact a series, we felt like Raj had a better chance," Francona said as he explained his decision during a press conference in Houston. "It's nothing against Gonzy. But if Gonzy gets in, that meant something went wrong. If something goes wrong, we might be kicking ourselves, but I think we felt like the risk is worth the reward."
The Indians will kickoff their 2018 postseason on Friday afternoon when they face the Astros in Houston at 2:05 p.m. ET.
Francona's decision to go with Davis was largely expected. In addition to his upside as a pinch runner -- Davis has stolen 21 bases this season compared to Gonzalez's 3 -- Cleveland is thinner in its outfield than its infield, as evidenced by the 101 games and 216 at-bats the right-handed Davis has totaled this season.
In his second stint with the Indians, Davis has hit for a .224 average to go along with 1 home run and 6 runs batted in. In 2016, he famously hit a game-tying 2-run home run in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series before Cleveland ultimately fell to the Chicago Cubs 8-7 in extra innings.
On Wednesday, Francona revealed the Indians pitching staff and bullpen for the ALDS, which will not include right-hander Josh Tomlin.