CLEVELAND — Jackie Bradley Jr. was given a 2013 World Series ring because he played 37 games for that team. But it’s not something he’s particularly proud of.

Bradley wasn’t on the postseason roster and didn’t play very well in those games he did get in during the season.

“I honestly feel like I didn’t earn that one,’’ Bradley said. “Obviously, I played on the team but I didn’t feel like I contributed. Now I have a chance to really earn one.’’

As the Red Sox open the postseason with Game 1 of the Division Series against Cleveland on Thursday night, many of the players feel as Bradley does. They have had success in their careers but not quite enough to show for it.

David Ortiz has three rings and Dustin Pedroia two. But they are the anomaly in the clubhouse. The postseason roster is likely to have only five holdovers from the postseason roster of the 2013 champions.

For veterans such as Craig Kimbrel, David Price, Hanley Ramirez, and Brad Ziegler, a World Series title would set them apart from other accomplished players.

Bradley, Mookie Betts, Eduardo Rodriguez, and the younger players want to feel like Xander Bogaerts did in 2013 when he joined the pile atop Koji Uehara on the Fenway Park infield after Game 6 of the World Series.

“At this point in my career, nothing else matters more,’’ said Rick Porcello, who starts on Thursday night against Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer. “If we don’t win the Series, I don’t think any of us will look at the season as being good enough.’’

The teams do not have to turn in their rosters until 10 a.m. Thursday. Manager John Farrell did reveal that Clay Buchholz would start Game 3 at Fenway on Sunday with Rodriguez in a possible Game 4 on Monday.

If the series returns to Cleveland for a deciding fifth game, Porcello and Price would be available.

Farrell indicated the Sox would keep 11 pitchers for the short series and employ an extra bench player who can be used to pinch run. That could be good news for Marco Hernandez.

Hernandez has one stolen base in 40 major league games but offers an upgrade on the basepaths over Ortiz or catcher Sandy Leon.

“That will weigh heavily into it if we go with a 14th position player or not,’’ Farrell said. “And then you look at the five-game schedule, with an off day in between. Typically, if there’s no interruption with weather, you’ve got recovery time with relievers you may use.’’

Kimbrel, Uehara, Ziegler, Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, Drew Pomeranz, and Robbie Ross Jr. would seem sure to make the roster if the Sox go with 11 pitchers.

That would leave Fernando Abad, Heath Hembree, and Junichi Tazawa inactive.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona has been adept at creating platoon advantages for his hitters. That would put the onus on righthanders such as Barnes and Kelly to be able to retire lefthanded hitters in the seventh inning.

Lefties had a .741 OPS against Barnes this season, .899 against Kelly.

The other big factor for the Red Sox will be controlling Cleveland on the bases. The Indians led the American League with 134 steals.

“One of the things that makes them so difficult is the combination of the hitters that they have and how patient they are, really good feel for the strike zone, and then their ability to steal bags,’’ Porcello said. “You could find yourself worrying about the running game and then put them into an advantage count [in] two pitches without even thinking about it.’’

The Red Sox led the AL with 878 runs and they have their pitching rested and lined up. The Indians, who lost starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar to late-season injuries, are counting on Bauer to start Game 1, and then Game 4 on short rest.

Bauer had a 4.26 earned run average in 35 games, seven in relief. He had a 7.28 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in his last five starts. In two appearances against the Red Sox he allowed six runs over six innings.

“Obviously they scored the most runs or they have the best offense, or all sorts of offensive records this year. Going up against the lineup, all the experience they have, all the postseason experience they have, the veteran presence, it’s going to be a lot of fun,’’ Bauer said. “But all the preparation is done at this point. I’ve prepared to the best of my ability. I’ve studied them, I have a game plan going in.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.