Bored on an off day so thought I’d have a running thread of what we think the playoff roster might look like and how it might change over the next few weeks. Obviously lots of moving parts including injuries, hot streaks, and opponents, but wanted to just do a thought on where the team is at. I’m assuming 13 position players and 12 pitchers as that is what they’ve done consistently over past 2 years. I wanna note that this is what I think the team will do, not necessarily what I’d do I guess: Position Players (13) Locks: Smith and Martin Bellinger, Seager, Joc, Pollock, Freese Turner and Muncy locks if assuming healthy That leaves 4 spots open. I’m guessing it’s Taylor, Enrique, Lux, and Beaty. Taylor is probably actually a lock and he’s a must, Lux/Enrique/Beaty have shown enough to be on the teams Verdugo would challenge Enrique/Lux/Beaty if healthy. Gyorko hasn’t shown enough to be on there but he’s in if anything happens to Freese OR if a team is lefty heavy and maybe they have him instead of Beaty. Rios could possibly go in if Lux slumps too much, or they want another lefty (although that’d be a lot). Negron/Barnes could replace Beaty or Lux if they think it’s too many lefties and they want a last spot for a pinch runner (doubt this) So: Smith, Martin, Bellinger, Seager, Joc, Pollock, Freese, Taylor, Enrique, Lux, and Beaty. Pitchers (12) Locks: Kershaw, Buehler, Ryu Jansen, Baez, Kelly, Maeda, Urias 4 spots open for a group of the following: Gonsolin, May, Kolarek, Ferguson, Yimi, Hill, and Stripling One lefty for sure will be in. I’m gonna guess Kolarek. 3 spots remaining and I think Stripling definitely gets in cause of flexibility. So then, it’s choosing between 2 of Hill, Yimi, Ferguson, May, and Gonsolin. I think I’d rank them: Hill, Gonsolin, May, Ferguson, then Yimi. Hill is in if he’s healthy, Gonsolin has had the most success as both starter and reliever. Difference between May and Ferguson might depend on match up. Yimi has been actually very good this year but the home run problem is just too scary. So: Kershaw, Buehler, Ryu, Jansen, Baez, Kelly, Maeda, Urias, Kolarek, Stripling, Gonsolin, and Hill if healthy, May if not.
I wonder if they'd consider taking Rios over Beaty if Turner isn't 100%. While there are a bunch of suitable options to play 1B, 3B is a different story. Plus a lot of RH starters on Washington, St Louis and Milwaukee. Would they dare leave someone like Taylor or Kike off? Probably not.
maybe instead of beaty, but no way in place of taylor or kiké taylor/kiké play more positions (specifically middle infield) and both have had postseason experience/success
Rios and Beaty are probably fighting for that last spot. Maybe Gyorko too idk. bench is probably Taylor, Enrique, Martin, Freese plus one other person. Rios has more upside and has had better recent at bats but also has lots of swing and miss in him. Beaty plays more positions and had more success all year, seems to have better bat to ball skills but his recent skid (8 for this last 51) has to have the team skeptical that maybe he was an early season success story. a wild card might be putting Negron on the roster purely for speed and defense. I honesty think I prefer Rios to Beaty right now. Beatys slump is just really really bad right now and you need power off the bench in the playoffs
yeah I can't remember the last hit Beaty had so he's been figured out for the moment go Rios and find a way to get Sadler on the roster