Playoff Roster

We have tons of time until Thursday morning when playoff rosters are official, so lets make predictions. I'm bored and like thinking things through on here. We can do them based off how we think it SHOULD happen or based off how we think it WILL happen.

Locks:
Position players (12):
Yasmani, Barnes, Bellinger, Enrique, Machado, Turner, Joc, Muncy, Puig, Freese, Kemp, Taylor

Pitchers (12):
Kershaw, Ryu, Buehler, hill

Jansen, Maeda, Ferguson, Alexander, Baez, Wood

I'm guessing they'll go 8 man bullpen, so 13 position players.... So, I see it as 1 open position player and 2 open bullpen spots

For the position player, I could see it making sense to go with Dozier but, the Braves roster makes him a bit useless. The Braves starters are all gonna be right handed which means the bench will basically always be Barnes, Freese, Kemp, and Taylor. I don't see the need for another right handed 2B, especially one who'd be behind all those guys in the depth chart. They should probably go with either a left handed hitter or pinch runner which is basically down to Verdugo, Toles, Locastro, or Utley? Locastro is the best pinch running option, Verdugo is the best pinch hitting option, Toles is the best combination of speed/offense... I lean towards Toles I think

As for pitching, right now I have 3 RHP and 3 LHP... I think Stripling should be there, although he's been shaky lately... and then the last spot is basically if they want a LOOGY (Rosscup) or a better right handed option (Floro, Madson?)... I'll predict they go with Rosscup even though he isn't very good.

 

I'd go with Toles over Verdugo. Toles has a little taste of playoff experience.

Really wary of Stripling give his results of late. Rosscup is left handed and that's about it. Like you said. He's just not very good. Would much rather use the playoff tested Madson in the reverse lefty specialist role. Floro is a slam dunk (I assume).

 

Dave Goltz flashback yesterday. Network showed the final out of that infamous Goltz playoff fiasco.

 

Seems like the only debate is Stripling vs Madson for the last spot if they go 12 pitchers.

And who is the 13th position player, Dozier? Verdugo? Toles? Locastro?

Or they go only 11 pitchers (doubtful) and two of the above make it.

 

Madson is a huge no for me. Every time I think Alexander has turned the corner he walks the only batter he faces but he'll be there. Like it or not and I know 90% will not but Doze will be there I guarantee it even though the starters are right handed. I like the predictions so far of the core players who'll be on the roster however.

 

I go with Toles also tbh. He has the best combo of contact/speed/power/defense that can be useful. I think Verdugo is a better hitter but we don’t necessarily need just a hitter

I’m wary of Stripling also. I also thought Floro was a slam dunk but he’s hardly been used these last few weeks and we might need lefties more than righties for Freeman/Markakis

 

Stopped in just to say I'm concerned about Ross Stripling. Looks like that's been covered.

 

Lousy movie, great character.

 

Based on recent performances, I consider Alexander useless, unless you want opponents RISP.
Really weak for a while now.

 

I firmly believe Toles could make an impact if they get him some at bats.

 

No consideration for a 3rd catcher? If the 25th spot is considered a luxury, maybe it goes to Farmer. It opens up Barnes for pinch-hitting/running, and if there's a minor injury to Grandal you don't necessarily have to DL him and lose him for the next round.

 

I did think about that but Barnes isn’t good enough for that this year... he might get a start against a lefty starter but the Braves only have 1 and he’d MAYBE go game 4. Barnes wouldn’t be in top 3 options off the bench so the only way you burn Barnes is as a pinch runner, and might be better to go with other guys who can do more than that.

 

Kike/Kenley/Kershaw can catch...

 

I also think Urias belongs on the playoff roster.

Short innings of work, his stuff looks really good. Given our SP, extra BP arms couldn’t hurt.