Playoff Decisions

[sk7326]

Considering the huge win at Tampa last night - the Red Sox took a large step towards clinching a postseason berth. As such - I feel better about looking towards the playoffs.

 

The final playoff roster:

 

Pitchers (13): Breslow, Britton, Dempster, Doubront, Lackey, Lester, Morales, Peavy, Tazawa, Thornton, Uehara, Workman, Buchholz

Catchers (2): Ross, Saltalamacchia

Infielders (6): Boegaerts, Drew, Middlebrooks, Napoli, Pedroia, Snyder

Outfielders (5): Carp, Ellsbury, Gomes, Nava, Victorino

DH (1): Ortiz

Free Slots (5): Bailey, Hanrahan, Miller, Wilson, Kalish

=========================================================================================

Some questions I'd be curious to discuss

 

1. Who do you think makes sense for the free slots? These are guys who were in the organization as of August 31 - they were not postseason eligible but because of the season ending injuries noted - they can be added on. This doesn't mean they make the 25 man roster for a given series - but they are among the pool of people that can be chosen.

 

My guess: Lavarnway, Berry, Bradley, De La Rosa, Wright

 

2. How many pitchers do we carry for a series? 12 or 11. If 11, seems Buchholz, Peavy, Lester, Lackey, Breslow, Tazawa, Workman, Uehara are locks. What about the other positions?

[mvp 78]

They get 27 roster slots for the playoffs?

 

I'd put McDonald on the roster before Snyder as he is solid defensively.

 

Why would they carry Wright?

[sk7326]

They get 27 roster slots for the playoffs?

 

I'd put McDonald on the roster before Snyder as he is solid defensively.

 

Why would they carry Wright?

 

I was starving for an answer for the additional pitcher after De La Rosa ... lot of choices, none amazing.

 

In the playoffs, a team has to choose 25 players for a round, and if a guy is replaced during the round - he cannot come back for 2 rounds. So an ALDS injury = stay on roster or not eligible to return until WS. But the Red Sox have 32 playoff eligible players. Now to shift them from round to round - I believe- normal rules for options and such (like moving guys in the regular season) are still in place.

[Station 13]

BP definitely: Uehara, Tazawa, Breslow, Workman and the rest are up for grab. We need a long man beside Workman. That could be Dempster who had work as a reliever before. Edited September 11, 2013 by Station 13

[Orange Juiced]

As of this moment (who knows what will transpire over the next few weeks (injuries, etc.) that may change the calculus), here's my preferred 25-man playoff roster for the first round anyway:

 

C - Salty

1b - Napoli

2b - Pedroia

3b - Middlebrooks

SS - Drew

LF - Gomes

CF - Ellsbury (assuming he's good to go)

RF - Victorino

DH - Ortiz

C - Ross

IF - Bogaerts

OF/1b - Carp

OF - Nava

OF - Berry

OF - Bradley

 

SP - Buchholz, Lester, Peavy, Lackey

RP - Uehara, Workman, Tazawa, Breslow, Dempster, and then one of Thornton/Britton/Morales/Doubront

 

Notes:

- I think they only need 10 pitchers - a lot of days off and it's just a best 3 of 5.

- I like Berry there for that specific skill of stealing and running the bases.

- I know there's only one backup IF in Bogaerts. I'm hoping for no injuries. Middlebrooks can play 2b in an emergency.

- Lots of versatility in this roster.

- Only 2 catchers, because Napoli can play C in an emergency.

[a700hitter]

As of this moment (who knows what will transpire over the next few weeks (injuries, etc.) that may change the calculus), here's my preferred 25-man playoff roster for the first round anyway:

 

C - Salty

1b - Napoli

2b - Pedroia

3b - Middlebrooks

SS - Drew

LF - Gomes

CF - Ellsbury (assuming he's good to go)

RF - Victorino

DH - Ortiz

C - Ross

IF - Bogaerts

OF/1b - Carp

OF - Nava

OF - Berry

OF - Bradley

 

SP - Buchholz, Lester, Peavy, Lackey

RP - Uehara, Workman, Tazawa, Breslow, Dempster, and then one of Thornton/Britton/Morales/Doubront

 

Notes:

- I think they only need 10 pitchers - a lot of days off and it's just a best 3 of 5.

- I like Berry there for that specific skill of stealing and running the bases.

- I know there's only one backup IF in Bogaerts. I'm hoping for no injuries. Middlebrooks can play 2b in an emergency.

- Lots of versatility in this roster.

- Only 2 catchers, because Napoli can play C in an emergency.

Did you just say "change the calculus"? Seriously? Edited September 12, 2013 by a700hitter

[Orange Juiced]

Did you just say "chanfe the calculus"? Seriously?

 

I said "change the calculus". Why, is that a bad thing to say?

[a700hitter]

I said "change the calculus". Why, is that a bad thing to say?

I edited my post to correct my typo. It's a meaningless expression.

[Orange Juiced]

I edited my post to correct my typo. It's a meaningless expression.

 

It's a stupid thing to comment on is what it is.

[a700hitter]

It's a stupid thing to comment on is what it is.

Just a pet peeve of mine when people use meaningless expressions and think they are saying something meaningful.

[Bellhorn04]

Just a pet peeve of mine when people use meaningless expressions and think they are saying something meaningful.

 

Like 'low risk high reward'.

[a700hitter]

Like 'low risk high reward'.

Yep. LOL!!! and there are many more. I hate it when a baseball manager says 'the game started getting fast". Huh? LOL!!

[SoxFanForsyth]

There is one thing that scares me about this team in the post season. Just 1. That's it. Just 1.

 

They do not have a guy in the pen who can put out fires. Runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out, up by 1 run? We need that 2010-Aug, 2011 Daniel Bard. I just don't see anyone who can come in and do that.

 

I'd like to see Allen Webster get a couple shots at it, see what he's got, but there's just not enough time to really feel comfortable. Taz just allows inherited runner after inherited runner to score.

 

That, to me, is the biggest question mark on this team. If you can give Tazawa a clean 8th, he's lights out. If you give Breslow a clean 7th, he's golden. But if you bring your starter out into the 7th and he allows the first couple runners to reach, this team, at least lately, has a hard time stranding runners.

[sk7326]

There is one thing that scares me about this team in the post season. Just 1. That's it. Just 1.

 

They do not have a guy in the pen who can put out fires. Runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out, up by 1 run? We need that 2010-Aug, 2011 Daniel Bard. I just don't see anyone who can come in and do that.

 

I'd like to see Allen Webster get a couple shots at it, see what he's got, but there's just not enough time to really feel comfortable. Taz just allows inherited runner after inherited runner to score.

 

That, to me, is the biggest question mark on this team. If you can give Tazawa a clean 8th, he's lights out. If you give Breslow a clean 7th, he's golden. But if you bring your starter out into the 7th and he allows the first couple runners to reach, this team, at least lately, has a hard time stranding runners.

 

I don't think that is quite as big a deal. Breslow and Tazawa are not perfect - but I think a lot of our perception is clouded by not seeing other team's guys. And if the situation is REALLY dire, I fully expect Uehara to get the call then (as well he should). The team has been masterful in protecting his reps and making sure he is not overworked, but the postseason is why you do it. And if it means occasionally Tazawa or Breslow has to pitch a clean 9th after Koji has saved their bacon in the 7th or 8th (granted the 7th is not going to happen unless it is elimination time) you solve that puzzle later.

[Orange Juiced]

Just a pet peeve of mine when people use meaningless expressions and think they are saying something meaningful.

 

So you felt it worth commenting on. Super. Very helpful stuff there, 700.

[Orange Juiced]

I don't think that is quite as big a deal. Breslow and Tazawa are not perfect - but I think a lot of our perception is clouded by not seeing other team's guys. And if the situation is REALLY dire, I fully expect Uehara to get the call then (as well he should). The team has been masterful in protecting his reps and making sure he is not overworked, but the postseason is why you do it. And if it means occasionally Tazawa or Breslow has to pitch a clean 9th after Koji has saved their bacon in the 7th or 8th (granted the 7th is not going to happen unless it is elimination time) you solve that puzzle later.

 

I do think it's a big deal. Taz has generally been a good reliever. Breslow is pretty solid. But man, on the whole, the 7th-8th innings scare me.

[a700hitter]

So you felt it worth commenting on. Super. Very helpful stuff there, 700.

It's a message board. People comment on stuff. Were you that offended by my comment?

[Orange Juiced]

It's a message board. People comment on stuff. Were you that offended by my comment?

 

I'm not offended at all. I just thought that, in the midst of baseball discussion, it was stupid to comment on that, and it contributed nothing to the conversation.

[sk7326]

I do think it's a big deal. Taz has generally been a good reliever. Breslow is pretty solid. But man, on the whole, the 7th-8th innings scare me.

 

I am with you on the 7th - though the starters can help there. 8th less so - because Uehara becomes a viable option then. Like all of the other contenders, we need our starters to push us past the softer part of the 'pen.

[a700hitter]

I'm not offended at all. I just thought that, in the midst of baseball discussion, it was stupid to comment on that, and it contributed nothing to the conversation.

You are right that it contributed nothing to the baseball conversation, but it was an instructive comment--- unless you want to continue making meaningless comments.

[Orange Juiced]

You are right that it contributed nothing to the baseball conversation, but it was an instructive comment--- unless you want to continue making meaningless comments.

 

It wasn't an instructive comment. Here was your original (edited) comment:

 

Did you just say "change the calculus"? Seriously?

 

How is that "instructive"? It is an insult is what it is. Now I'm not offended by it, but you certainly meant it that way. It was a disparaging, condescending remark with no instructive value.

 

Now, more to the point: Did you understand what I meant by it?

Edited September 12, 2013 by Orange Juiced

[a700hitter]

Did you understand what I meant by it?

I understood what you thought you were saying, but that expression doesn't get it done.

[Station 13]

There is one thing that scares me about this team in the post season. Just 1. That's it. Just 1.

 

They do not have a guy in the pen who can put out fires. Runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out, up by 1 run? We need that 2010-Aug, 2011 Daniel Bard. I just don't see anyone who can come in and do that.

 

I'd like to see Allen Webster get a couple shots at it, see what he's got, but there's just not enough time to really feel comfortable. Taz just allows inherited runner after inherited runner to score.

 

That, to me, is the biggest question mark on this team. If you can give Tazawa a clean 8th, he's lights out. If you give Breslow a clean 7th, he's golden. But if you bring your starter out into the 7th and he allows the first couple runners to reach, this team, at least lately, has a hard time stranding runners.

 

That is not true. He does a great job when facing batters with RISP. He allow just 1 XBH all season in such (over 88PA). Last time he allow a few to scores, but that wasn't his fault.

 

There's a few reasons to bring in Tazawa with runners on, he almost certainly stop the running game. Nobody likes to get thrown out in key situations with someone who is quick to the plate as Tazawa.

 

Also his IR is 34 and 11 comes in. A few of those scored were by errors, and 2 last time because Farrell decided to put on the shift on what would been a inning ending DP. Tazawa also pitch with the bases loaded zero out 1 time as well.

Edited September 12, 2013 by Station 13

[SoxFanForsyth]

That is not true. He does a great job when facing batters with RISP. He allow just 1 XBH all season in such (over 88PA). Last time he allow a few to scores, but that wasn't his fault.

 

There's a few reasons to bring in Tazawa with runners on, he almost certainly stop the running game. Nobody likes to get thrown out in key situations with someone who is quick to the plate as Tazawa.

 

Also his IR is 34 and 11 comes in. A few of those scored were by errors, and 2 last time because Farrell decided to put on the shift on what would been a inning ending DP.

 

And how many have been held because Farrell put on the shift and it prevented the runners? You can't make that kind of an excuse.

 

Tazawa has allowed 32% of inherited runners to score. League average is 30%, so he's slightly above league average. But he's been much worse of late, based on the eye test (I can't find splits for IS%).

 

Either way, in years past we had Bard who could come in and absolutely shut down an inning. Even Andrew Miller was able to do that to start the year (22% IS% this year). That's what we're missing. Getting the ball from the starter to Koji could be adventure.

[mvp 78]

Dempster will be in that role starting in 5 days. We'll see if it works.

[Station 13]

And how many have been held because Farrell put on the shift and it prevented the runners? You can't make that kind of an excuse.

 

Tazawa has allowed 32% of inherited runners to score. League average is 30%, so he's slightly above league average. But he's been much worse of late, based on the eye test (I can't find splits for IS%).

 

Either way, in years past we had Bard who could come in and absolutely shut down an inning. Even Andrew Miller was able to do that to start the year (22% IS% this year). That's what we're missing. Getting the ball from the starter to Koji could be adventure.

 

With IR I would go to Tazawa. He doesn't walk batters. He hold runners. Do you think anyone else does a better job than him on this team?

[SoxFanForsyth]

With IR I would go to Tazawa. He doesn't walk batters. He hold runners. Do you think anyone else does a better job than him on this team?

 

No. And I think that's a pretty big issue.

[marklmw]

Dempster will be in that role starting in 5 days. We'll see if it works.

 

I would be for that!

[mvp 78]

No. And I think that's a pretty big issue.

 

Yup, it'll be magnified in the playoffs.

[Orange Juiced]

I understood what you thought you were saying, but that expression doesn't get it done.

 

What did you think I was saying?