Playoff Roster - 2018

[Slasher9]

Here is my prediction for our playoff roster. I am thinking 12 pitchers for ALDS:

1b Moreland

2b Kinsler

3b Devers

SS Xander

LF Beni

CF JBj

RF Mookie

C Leon

DH JDM

SP1 Sale

SP2 Price

SP3 Porcello

SP4 Erod

RP1 Kimbrel

RP2 Barnes

RP3 Kelly

RP4 Eovaldi

RP5 Brasier

RP6 Hembree

RP7 Johnson

RP8 Pom

UT1 Holt

UT2 Pearce

UT3 Nunez

UT4 Swihart

 

Left off: Neck tat, Vazquez, workman, thornburg, wright

[mvp 78]

I'd replace Johnson with a LOOGY guy like Robby Scott. Having 3 starters (Pom/Eovaldi/Johnson) in the pen may be a bit much. I'd also think about replacing Pom with Wright if Wright comes back healthy.

[greenwell]

I'd take Velasquez over Pom, Workman or Thornburg over Hembree.

 

Of course September results for Vasquez, Wright and half the bullpen could change this

[moonslav59]

We should go with 11 pitchers, since we play 5 games in 13 days. The second playoff series might be different.

 

I'd remove Pom and replace with Wright (Or Workman, if Wright looks shaky in Sept)

 

I'd remove Eovaldi for Vazquez (or Johnson, if he struggles more in Sept.)

 

I might remove Johnson or Hembree for Thornburg (or Velazqueez), if he does well in Sept.

[notin]

I think Pomeranz and Johnson are probably best left off.

 

While I hate the LOOGY strategy over the course of a season, I could see it happening in the playoffs. If that is the case, Bobby Poyner makes some sense. And I think I'd rather see Workman than either Johnson (whose numbers as a reliever are not so enticing) or Pomeranz as well.

 

So - out with Pomeranz and Johnson and in with Workman and Poyner...

[kenmeister]

I think Pomeranz and Johnson are probably best left off.

 

While I hate the LOOGY strategy over the course of a season, I could see it happening in the playoffs. If that is the case, Bobby Poyner makes some sense. And I think I'd rather see Workman than either Johnson (whose numbers as a reliever are not so enticing) or Pomeranz as well.

 

So - out with Pomeranz and Johnson and in with Workman and Poyner...

 

I'm big on Workman myself. No clue why he keeps getting sent down.

[moonslav59]

Can I ask why nearly everyone is putting 12 pitchers on the playoff roster, when we play 5 games in a 13 day window?

 

4 starters

 

Why 8 RP'ers when we will be starting the series with 5 days off, playing 2 games- one off- 2 games- one off and 1 game (if needed)?

 

We will likely have 1-2 long men to eat up middle innings, if needed. My guess is we keep 1-2 from Eovaldi, Johnson & Velazquez and Barnes and Hembree can go more than 1 IP, if needed.

[notin]

Can I ask why nearly everyone is putting 12 pitchers on the playoff roster, when we play 5 games in a 13 day window?

 

4 starters

 

Why 8 RP'ers when we will be starting the series with 5 days off, playing 2 games- one off- 2 games- one off and 1 game (if needed)?

 

We will likely have 1-2 long men to eat up middle innings, if needed. My guess is we keep 1-2 from Eovaldi, Johnson & Velazquez and Barnes and Hembree can go more than 1 IP, if needed.

 

To cover for short outings from starters as needed and to do so without leaving a dead bullpen for the next game.

 

It’s not like we have a lot of hitters that need to be pinch hit for.

 

Also I wouldn’t even take Johnson or Velasquez...

[moonslav59]

To cover for short outings from starters as needed and to do so without leaving a dead bullpen for the next game.

 

It’s not like we have a lot of hitters that need to be pinch hit for.

 

Also I wouldn’t even take Johnson or Velasquez...

 

We actually do have hitters to PH for, and both are catchers. That's why 3 catchers would be more helpful than the 12th pitcher.

[mvp 78]

You don't need Vazquez if Leon is on the roster. It's just redundancy. It'd make more sense to have a bat on the bench at that point.

[notin]

We actually do have hitters to PH for, and both are catchers. That's why 3 catchers would be more helpful than the 12th pitcher.

 

The way Swihart has been of late, he might not need to be pinch hit for.

 

I do doubt the Sox take 3 catchers - especially since Vazquez has been inactive for a huge chunk of the season - into the postseason...

[Slasher9]

Can I ask why nearly everyone is putting 12 pitchers on the playoff roster, when we play 5 games in a 13 day window?

 

4 starters

 

Why 8 RP'ers when we will be starting the series with 5 days off, playing 2 games- one off- 2 games- one off and 1 game (if needed)?

 

We will likely have 1-2 long men to eat up middle innings, if needed. My guess is we keep 1-2 from Eovaldi, Johnson & Velazquez and Barnes and Hembree can go more than 1 IP, if needed.

 

thats fine. i can see going with 11 pitchers for the 5 game series. i would remove Pom.

who's the extra fielder you want? vazquez?

[moonslav59]

The way Swihart has been of late, he might not need to be pinch hit for.

 

I do doubt the Sox take 3 catchers - especially since Vazquez has been inactive for a huge chunk of the season - into the postseason...

 

I don't see Swihart starting a playoff game. We can PH Moreland or Peacr for Leon/Vaz and then PH Swihart later in the game and leave him as the catcher, if needed.

 

If they plan on starting Swihart, then carrying 3 catchers makes little sense.

 

As for the 12th pitcher, since we will be coming off 5 off days, I think we don't have to worry about using RP'ers two days in a row, especially since there's another day off after game 2.

 

I suppose we could use 7 RP'ers in game 1 or 3, but there's a better chance we'll need to PH for Leon or Vaz.

[moonslav59]

You don't need Vazquez if Leon is on the roster. It's just redundancy. It'd make more sense to have a bat on the bench at that point.

 

To PH for whom?

 

Only our catchers need PH'ing for, unless you do a 1B swap with Moreland-Pearce when they switch handed pitchers.

[moonslav59]

thats fine. i can see going with 11 pitchers for the 5 game series. i would remove Pom.

who's the extra fielder you want? vazquez?

 

I'm adding Vaz and Devers to what we have currently to make 14 everyday players.

[mvp 78]

To PH for whom?

 

Only our catchers need PH'ing for, unless you do a 1B swap with Moreland-Pearce when they switch handed pitchers.

 

For s*** ass JBJ.

[moonslav59]

For s*** ass JBJ.

 

LOL!

 

He'll be nearing .800 by October!

[Emp9]

I don't see Swihart starting a playoff game. We can PH Moreland or Peacr for Leon/Vaz and then PH Swihart later in the game and leave him as the catcher, if needed.

 

If they plan on starting Swihart, then carrying 3 catchers makes little sense.

 

As for the 12th pitcher, since we will be coming off 5 off days, I think we don't have to worry about using RP'ers two days in a row, especially since there's another day off after game 2.

 

I suppose we could use 7 RP'ers in game 1 or 3, but there's a better chance we'll need to PH for Leon or Vaz.

 

I see it the same way. Vaz should be back this weekend w/ a whole month left to play. During his rehab he’s caught both ERod & Wright during their own rehabs. If we plan on having both them back, why leave out Vaz? I’d have Swihart working primarily with the BP for the later innings to prepare for the postseason. Swi’s been money PHing. I wouldn’t change a thing w/ our catching core, unless Vaz looks downright horrible on both sides of the field. Or another injury happens with any of them.

[moonslav59]

I see it the same way. Vaz should be back this weekend w/ a whole month left to play. During his rehab he’s caught both ERod & Wright during their own rehabs. If we plan on having both them back, why leave out Vaz? I’d have Swihart working primarily with the BP for the later innings to prepare for the postseason. Swi’s been money PHing. I wouldn’t change a thing w/ our catching core, unless Vaz looks downright horrible on both sides of the field. Or another injury happens with any of them.

 

Better said than I.

 

Of course, if Vaz sucks in September, then my mind can easily be changed.

[mvp 78]

LOL!

 

He'll be nearing .800 by October!

 

That depends on what your definition of "nearing" is.

 

0.000 OPS since September 2nd.

[oldtimer]

Here is my prediction for our playoff roster. I am thinking 12 pitchers for ALDS:

1b Moreland

2b Kinsler

3b Devers

SS Xander

LF Beni

CF JBj

RF Mookie

C Leon

DH JDM

SP1 Sale

SP2 Price

SP3 Porcello

SP4 Erod

RP1 Kimbrel

RP2 Barnes

RP3 Kelly

RP4 Eovaldi

RP5 Brasier

RP6 Hembree

RP7 Johnson

RP8 Pom

UT1 Holt

UT2 Pearce

UT3 Nunez

UT4 Swihart

 

Left off: Neck tat, Vazquez, workman, thornburg, wright

 

Nunez is superior to Devers both offensively and defensively and should get the nod at 3B. Whether Devers makes the PO roster in my view depends on whether the Sox want to have another left hand bad available, instead of keeping Vaz on the team. I hope the ship has sailed on Pedroia for this year.

 

In the pitching arena the question remains as to how much we need to keep multiple left handed relief pitchers in the lineup. I would take Workman over johnson in a heartbeat. Wright also deserves consideration. His ability to do long relief might push him up over a guy like Hembree, who has been erratic.

[sk7326]

Honestly - and this won't happen ... I'd go 11 pitchers and possibly add a Rusney Castillo for a pinch runner and a reserve outfielder who can provide some solid defense.

[moonslav59]

Nunez is superior to Devers both offensively and defensively and should get the nod at 3B. Whether Devers makes the PO roster in my view depends on whether the Sox want to have another left hand bad available, instead of keeping Vaz on the team. I hope the ship has sailed on Pedroia for this year.

 

In the pitching arena the question remains as to how much we need to keep multiple left handed relief pitchers in the lineup. I would take Workman over johnson in a heartbeat. Wright also deserves consideration. His ability to do long relief might push him up over a guy like Hembree, who has been erratic.

 

Nunez has hit well, recently, but I wouldn't count Devers out just yet.

[moonslav59]

Honestly - and this won't happen ... I'd go 11 pitchers and possibly add a Rusney Castillo for a pinch runner and a reserve outfielder who can provide some solid defense.

 

Give up on Castillo. He's not going to be added to the 40 man roster.

 

I agree about needing only 11 pitchers for 5 games in 12 days.

[Maxbialystock]

More than 11 pitchers is way more than enough, just as moonslav says: 4 starters and 7 relievers with lots of rest before the ALDS starts.

 

Based on WAR my four starters are Sale, Price, ERod and Porcello. And my seven relievers are Kimbrel, Brasier, Barnes, Workman, Kelly, Poyner, and Wright. I like lefties in the bullpen, thus Poyner (but definitely not Johnson). Wright is also good against lefties.

 

That leaves 14 position players:

 

Betts RF

Beni LF

JDM DH

Bogey SS

Moreland 1B

Kinsler 2B

Devers 3B

Leon C

JBJ CF

 

Vazquez C

Swihart C

Pearce 1B

Nunez 3b/SS/2B

Holt IF/OF

Edited September 4, 2018 by Maxbialystock

[Slasher9]

11 pitchers for the ALDS makes sense.

if that is the case as of today i would remove my RP8 and replace with Vazquez.

 

1b Moreland

2b Kinsler

3b Devers

SS Xander

LF Beni

CF JBj

RF Mookie

C Leon

DH JDM

SP1 Sale

SP2 Price

SP3 Porcello

SP4 Erod

RP1 Kimbrel

RP2 Barnes

RP3 Kelly

RP4 Eovaldi

RP5 Brasier

RP6 Hembree

RP7 Johnson

UT1 Holt

UT2 Pearce

UT3 Nunez

UT4 Swihart

UT5 Vazquez

[notin]

Honestly - and this won't happen ... I'd go 11 pitchers and possibly add a Rusney Castillo for a pinch runner and a reserve outfielder who can provide some solid defense.

 

It definitely won't happen. Castillo would have had to be added to the 40-man by August 31, and his contract would be on it for the remainder of it's duration...

[Maxbialystock]

Give up on Castillo. He's not going to be added to the 40 man roster.

 

I agree about needing only 11 pitchers for 5 games in 12 days.

 

You do not agree because you said it first.

[moonslav59]

You do not agree because you said it first.

 

I'm not sure, if I said it first, but I like our 3-4 starters, and I don't think we'll need to overuse the pen. Even if 1 or 2 of them have to pitch every game or back-to-back, it shouldn't wear them out.

[Maxbialystock]

Nunez is superior to Devers both offensively and defensively and should get the nod at 3B. Whether Devers makes the PO roster in my view depends on whether the Sox want to have another left hand bad available, instead of keeping Vaz on the team. I hope the ship has sailed on Pedroia for this year.

 

In the pitching arena the question remains as to how much we need to keep multiple left handed relief pitchers in the lineup. I would take Workman over johnson in a heartbeat. Wright also deserves consideration. His ability to do long relief might push him up over a guy like Hembree, who has been erratic.

 

Good point on Pom, who I forgot. But I still prefer Wright over Pom and Poyner over Johnson. Wright and Pom might work, but I just like Poyner more than Pom.