Klapisch: As MLB playoffs near, pitchers on mend may tip balance of power

With fewer than 50 games to go we’re approaching the summer’s 11th hour, which is why transactions matter, especially to the clubs making plans for October. There are several key pitchers on the verge of returning from the disabled list, which could change the balance of power between now and the postseason.

Think: Clayton Kershaw and how unhittable the Los Angeles Dodgers will be once he’s paired with Yu Darvish (not that they aren’t already). Or how about Stephen Strasburg, who’ll make his first start this weekend since July 27? Or Andrew Miller, who’s missed most of August with a bad knee but will be activated on Friday. The Cleveland Indians can’t clone last year’s run through the playoffs unless the big lefty reliever is healthy.

And then there’s the Yankees, who are waffling between go-for-it mode in the East and setting their sights on hosting the wild-card game. We’ll know more after this weekend’s three-game series at Fenway Park, but they’re counting on a big performance from CC Sabathia, who’ll be on the mound Saturday after missing 10 days with a flare-up in his arthritic right knee.

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And just around the corner for the Bombers is Masahiro Tanaka, who’s been tending to a vaguely fatigued shoulder. He’s set to return against Detroit next week. If the right-hander’s fastball is restored – a big if, granted – the Yankees still think they have the firepower to catch the Red Sox.

Here’s a closer look at who’s out, who’s almost back and the Plan B in case there’s an unexpected setback.

David Price, Red Sox

We mention the embattled lefty because unlike the other heavyweights, there was a notable detour on Wednesday. Price, who’s been out since July 28 with a sore elbow, had to postponed a scheduled throwing session. Price was set to toss again on Thursday, but his long-term durability is still in question.

So, too, is the effect his absence has had on Boston’s overall performance. While no one doubts Price’s skill and resume, it’s nevertheless true the Sox’s surge in the East has coincided with his stint on the DL.

Boston is 29-25 (.537) when Price has been on the active roster – and 39-26 without him, including a 10-2 run in August during which its lead over the Yankees briefly widened to a season-high 5 ½ games.

Is this a coincidence or have the Red Sox played better without the distraction of Price’s ugly feud with Dennis Eckersley? There’s no question the fan base has sided with Eck.

At this point, the Sox would gladly welcome Price back into the rotation, but only with an assurance that he’s healthy and emotionally in sync. They otherwise have solid options without him.

Plan B: Chris Sale would start Game 1 in any post-season series, with or without Price. But should Price be unavailable, Rick Porcello could start Game 2, or maybe even Drew Pomeranz, who aside from Sale and Corey Kluber, has been as successful as any pitcher in the majors since June.

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Reuniting the big left-hander with the Dodgers is like adding a couple of billion dollars to Bill Gates’ bank account. Is this necessary?

Not really, at least not until October. The Dodgers are on a pace for 116 wins and are 15-3 since Kershaw went on the DL with back issues. The only remaining intrigue in Chavez Ravine is just how prosperous the Dodgers will be and whether they’ll set the all-time regular season record with a 117th victory.

Don’t bet against this team – they’re in a different strata, buffeted by an absurd plus-214 run differential. The only way to beat them is by catching them on a rare off night. Otherwise, most National League teams have given up trying to stay even.

Kershaw has nothing left to prove: he’s already got three Cy Young awards, four ERA titles and three strikeout titles on the back of his baseball card. But let's see if his back enables him to perform. And while he's pitched better the past two postseasons - and notched a memorable save to clinch the NLDS against the Nationals - a significant gap remains between his regular season and playoff performance.

Plan B: Yu Darvish is off to a fine start with LA, already 2-0 and averaging more than a strikeout an inning. That’s no surprise, considering the NL is getting its first exposure to the man who has seven unique pitches. Darvish is good enough to be anyone’s ace.

But counting on him in October should Kershaw re-injure himself is risky. Darvish has made just two career post-season starts, including last season’s rocky five-inning clubbing from the Blue Jays. Darvish allowed five runs, including four homers.

Andrew Miller, Indians

Terry Francona knew something was wrong when Miller lost control of the strike zone earlier this month. Miller issued 10 walks in 21 innings, an uncharacteristic stretch for someone who relies on surgical command of the corners.

Turns out Miller was suffering from patella tendinitis in his right (landing) knee, which made it difficult to finish his pitches. Miller is about to return after resting/rehabbing for two weeks, and the Tribe is counting on a return to his pre-injury efficiency. For good reason, too.

Cleveland’s relievers have the lowest ERA in the American League, mostly because they’ve issued the fewest walks. Miller was recording 13 strikeouts per nine innings and has become almost impossible to take deep – a near-career low 0.5 home runs per nine innings. As far as the Indians are concerned, Miller can’t get back fast enough. He’s scheduled to be activated on Friday.

Plan B: Is there really a substitute for a 6-10 lefthander with a low three-quarters delivery, averaging 94.2 mph and a 16% swing and miss ratio in the strike zone?

CC Sabathia/Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees

Both pitchers are health risks. Sabathia has the chronically bad right knee and Tanaka has a partial tear of his UCL to go along with shoulder fatigue. But let’s assume their respective stints on the DL have addressed both issues. If so, the Yankees think they can hang with the Red Sox.

Saturday will be an important test of that theory, since it’ll be Sabathia’s first start in 10 days. If he’s sound, the former ace can pose problems for the Sox, evidenced by how well he threw in June (one earned run in 18.1 innings, 0.764 WHIP).

The same goes for Tanaka, who has been alternately brilliant, including 13 and 14-strikeout games against the A’s and Rays, respectively, and terrible. Tanaka has already surrendered a career-worst 28 HRs as his ERA has climbed to just under 5.00. Luis Severino has blown right past the Japanese right-hander to become the Yankees’ ace

Plan B: Jaime Garcia has been fairly underwhelming since his acquisition at the trade deadline and the Yankees would likely replace him with either Sabathia or Tanaka. Jordan Montgomery seems safe, however, and will remain in the rotation regardless of the musical chairs, especially after limiting the Red Sox to one run in 5 1/3 innings on August 13.

Stephen Strasburg, Nationals

Like the Dodgers, the Nationals can take their time nursing their ace back to health. Strasburg has been out since July 27 with nerve impingement in his right elbow, but it’s not like the Nats have suffered. They’re sitting on a 13 1/2-game lead in the NL East, which gives them breathing room to wait out Bryce Harper’s leg injury as well.

Strasburg is scheduled to face the Padres this weekend, which will act as the starter’s gun on a burning question. It’s not whether Strasburg has the talent and track record to dominate in October, but whether he’ll even get there. He’s made only 67 starts in the last three seasons, so it’s fair to wonder when, not if, he’s subject to re-injury.

Plan B: The Nats’ rotation can still line up with anyone, even in the event of Strasburg’s absence. A Max Scherzer-Gio Gonzalez-Tanner Roark trio should not be taken lightly.