Playoff Roster - 2018

[moonslav59]

Here's how I see the playoff roster at this moment in time, assuming Sale and Price look healthy upon return:

 

17 Locks for ALDS

 

SP: Sale, Price, ERod, Porcello

RP: Kimbrel, Barnes, Brasier

C: Leon

1B: Moreland & Pearce

2B: Kinsler

SS: Bogaerts

3B: Nunez

LF: Beni

CF: JBJ

RF: Betts

DH: JD

 

7 Probable

 

SP/Long Relief: Wright

RP: Kelly, Hembree, Thornburg

C: Vazquez

2B: Holt

3B: Devers

 

That's 24: 11 Pitchers, 2 Catchers, 2 1B, 2 2B, 1 SS, 2 3B, 3 OF, 1 DH

 

Bubble:

12th Pitcher: Pomeranz, Johnson, Velazquez, Workman, Poyner

C/Utility: Swihart

 

Outside chance: Lin

 

I'd choose Swihart over Pom with maybe Workman having the best chance of overtaking both for the 25th slot.

 

[oldtimer]

Here's how I see the playoff roster at this moment in time, assuming Sale and Price look healthy upon return:

 

17 Locks for ALDS

 

SP: Sale, Price, ERod, Porcello

RP: Kimbrel, Barnes, Brasier

C: Leon

1B: Moreland & Pearce

2B: Kinsler

SS: Bogaerts

3B: Nunez

LF: Beni

CF: JBJ

RF: Betts

DH: JD

 

7 Probable

 

SP/Long Relief: Wright

RP: Kelly, Hembree, Thornburg

C: Vazquez

2B: Holt

3B: Devers

 

That's 24: 11 Pitchers, 2 Catchers, 2 1B, 2 2B, 1 SS, 2 3B, 3 OF, 1 DH

 

Bubble:

12th Pitcher: Pomeranz, Johnson, Velazquez, Workman, Poyner

C/Utility: Swihart

 

Outside chance: Lin

 

I'd choose Swihart over Pom with maybe Workman having the best chance of overtaking both for the 25th slot.

 

 

At this point in time I would have Swihart over Devers, however, Devers has time to show some hitting prowess. I like Workman, not for his velocity but he does throw a sinking pitch that can draw ground balls. Thornburg has been iffy of late and no appearance in the last couple. What does that say?

[moonslav59]

At this point in time I would have Swihart over Devers, however, Devers has time to show some hitting prowess. I like Workman, not for his velocity but he does throw a sinking pitch that can draw ground balls. Thornburg has been iffy of late and no appearance in the last couple. What does that say?

 

I almost put Thornburg on the bubble. I have no beef with anyone who puts him there.

 

I know I said "at this moment", and Devers hasn't shown anything since coming back, but the kid can hit. He also has shown he can hit in the clutch in big games.

 

2018 ISO

 

.180 Devers

.171 JBJ

.128 Nunez

.108 Kinsler

.102 Holt

 

2017-2018 ISO

 

.308 JD

.236 Betts

.200 Moreland

.187 Devers

.175 HRam

.174 Bogey

.172 Beni

.164 JBJ

.152 Nunez

.082 Holt

Edited September 5, 2018 by moonslav59

[Maxbialystock]

Surprising unanimity in the draft 25 man rosters--helped of course by knowing how all of them have played this season. I like my choices for the bullpen and have said why, but don't mind 1 or 2 of them being replaced. Practically everyone has the same 4 starters and almost the same 9 lineup players.

 

The one question might be 3B, but I think that decision could be formed by the same thing that decides who plays 1B. Against righty starters, Cora could well go with Moreland at 1B and Devers at 3B. Against lefties, Pearce at 1B and Nunez at 3B.

[moonslav59]

Surprising unanimity in the draft 25 man rosters--helped of course by knowing how all of them have played this season. I like my choices for the bullpen and have said why, but don't mind 1 or 2 of them being replaced. Practically everyone has the same 4 starters and almost the same 9 lineup players.

 

The one question might be 3B, but I think that decision could be formed by the same thing that decides who plays 1B. Against righty starters, Cora could well go with Moreland at 1B and Devers at 3B. Against lefties, Pearce at 1B and Nunez at 3B.

 

Other debates...

12 man staff vs 11 man staff

2 catchers vs 3 catchers

How many long RP'ers should we carry? (Wright, Pom, Eovaldi, Johnson, Velazquez)

Last short guy (or one more long man) Thornburg, Workman or Poyner?

[notin]

Other debates...

12 man staff vs 11 man staff

2 catchers vs 3 catchers

How many long RP'ers should we carry? (Wright, Pom, Eovaldi, Johnson, Velazquez)

Last short guy (or one more long man) Thornburg, Workman or Poyner?

 

1. 12 man staff, at least in the AL playoffs. If the Sox make the WS, since it is unlikely the stupid "pitcher batting" rule is finally going to change between now and October, the extra pinch hitter does become more important. But really, not until then.

2. 2 catchers for the ALDS and ALCS.

3. I hope the Sox do not carry Johnson. I'm feeling a little better about carrying Pomeranz, whose numbers out of the pen are starting to look more respectable.

4. I'm hoping the Sox bring Kimbrel, Barnes, Kelly, Hembree, Workman, Poyner, Eovaldi and either Thornburg or Pomeranz. Pomeranz looks like the better option of late, which I would not have thought would happen a month ago...

[mvp 78]

In relief:

 

Pom: 2.93 ERA/4.00 FIP/1.37 WHIP

Johnson: 4.94 ERA/3.41 FIP/1.45 WHIP

 

I'd like to see Pom have a few more good outings before I put him on the roster.

[notin]

In relief:

 

Pom: 2.93 ERA/4.00 FIP/1.37 WHIP

Johnson: 4.94 ERA/3.41 FIP/1.45 WHIP

 

I'd like to see Pom have a few more good outings before I put him on the roster.

 

I can understand that. But I do think he is more valuable than Johnson as a reliever right now.

[mvp 78]

I can understand that. But I do think he is more valuable than Johnson as a reliever right now.

 

Maybe. He also has the propensity to just completely melt down. I'm not sure how he would hold up in the playoffs. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=pomerdr01&t=p&post=1

[notin]

Maybe. He also has the propensity to just completely melt down. I'm not sure how he would hold up in the playoffs. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=pomerdr01&t=p&post=1

 

3 outings over 2 years. I bad start. 1 good relief appearance, one not so good.

 

I think saying he has a propensity to melt down might be a bit premature after 5.2IP spread out over 2 seasons...

[mvp 78]

3 outings over 2 years. I bad start. 1 good relief appearance, one not so good.

 

I think saying he has a propensity to melt down might be a bit premature after 5.2IP spread out over 2 seasons...

 

His propensity to melt down comes from me watching him all year.

[notin]

His propensity to melt down comes from me watching him all year.

 

He is having a crappy injury-filled season, but that's not what his 2016 and 2017 post-season stats are about.

 

I think the shorter outings are agreeing with him right now...

[mvp 78]

He is having a crappy injury-filled season, but that's not what his 2016 and 2017 post-season stats are about.

 

I think the shorter outings are agreeing with him right now...

 

Not today they aren't.

 

Hard pass.

[mvp 78]

Super duper hard pass. Meltdown city as expected.

[fxkatt]

I'm for 12 pitchers over 11, despite all the down time. There's a single reason for this: EXTRA INNINGS. There's still no limit on innings, and these games are too crucial to not have back up after back up. And in games as competitive as these, it would not be unusual to see a 13-15 inning game played.

[Maxbialystock]

Thank you, Pomeranz, for clearing up your postseason availability so thoroughly. I do not understand the advocates for a guy who's ERA is over 6 and who is a lefty who cannot throw a changeup. Today the real Pomeranz stood up to be counted--as a reliever who cannot be counted on.

 

Before--I repeat, before--today's game, Pom's WAR was .1. Poyner's is .5 and he's only pitched 12 innings vs. Pom's 66. And his ERA is 2.19. If Poyner is healthy, it is a no-brainer to use him vs. Pomeranz.

[a700hitter]

Thank you, Pomeranz, for clearing up your postseason availability so thoroughly. I do not understand the advocates for a guy who's ERA is over 6 and who is a lefty who cannot throw a changeup. Today the real Pomeranz stood up to be counted--as a reliever who cannot be counted on.

 

Before--I repeat, before--today's game, Pom's WAR was .1. Poyner's is .5 and he's only pitched 12 innings vs. Pom's 66. And his ERA is 2.19. If Poyner is healthy, it is a no-brainer to use him vs. Pomeranz.

Is anyone advocating for him besides his mother?

[Maxbialystock]

For those advocating 12 pitchers on the postseason roster, you can check, but I don't think the Sox have used 12 before. In 2004 it was 10 pitchers and in 2013 11 pitchers.

[notin]

Not today they aren't.

 

Hard pass.

 

Yeah he was a borderline case before today. While it may not have sealed the deal in the eyes of management, it will probably weigh heavily against him...

[a700hitter]

For those advocating 12 pitchers on the postseason roster, you can check, but I don't think the Sox have used 12 before. In 2004 it was 10 pitchers and in 2013 11 pitchers.

Isn't there a better 12th pitcher than Pom?

[Bellhorn04]

For those advocating 12 pitchers on the postseason roster, you can check, but I don't think the Sox have used 12 before. In 2004 it was 10 pitchers and in 2013 11 pitchers.

 

As you can see it keeps increasing.

[notin]

For those advocating 12 pitchers on the postseason roster, you can check, but I don't think the Sox have used 12 before. In 2004 it was 10 pitchers and in 2013 11 pitchers.

 

In 2004, starters went an average of 5.8 IP/start. In 2013, starters went an average of 5.9IP/start. But in 2018, starters go an average of 5.4IP/start. Teams are more reliant on their bullpens now then they were in either of those seasons...

[notin]

Isn't there a better 12th pitcher than Pom?

 

Yes.

 

For certain, we know of 10 pitchers the Sox will/should carry (Sale, Price, Porcello, ERod, Kimbrel, Barnes, Kelly, Hembree, Workman, Brasier). The last two come from the set of (listed in no particular order) Eovaldi, Velasquez, Pomeranz, Thornburg, Wright, Poyner, and Johnson.

 

I like Eovaldi and Poyner from that set, but there are certainly other options available. Assuming they even carry 12 pitchers, which is not a given but would make sense to me...

[Maxbialystock]

As you can see it keeps increasing.

 

I can't for the life of me find the 2009 postseason roster. Nice touch.

[Maxbialystock]

In 2004, starters went an average of 5.8 IP/start. In 2013, starters went an average of 5.9IP/start. But in 2018, starters go an average of 5.4IP/start. Teams are more reliant on their bullpens now then they were in either of those seasons...

 

However, I think MLB teams have stayed with 12 pitchers during the regular season for decades. That's still a lot because it leaves just 13 position players--9 for the lineup plus a spare catcher, outfielder, and usually 2 infielders. Those 4 subs have to cover 9 positions plus pinch hit, etc.

 

The other point to remember is that you don't just want 12 arms--if you do--in the postseason. You want 12 quality arms. And that's pretty hard to find on any MLB team.

 

With 11 you have a little more assurance of quality and you know for a fact that no way, no how will you have to inflict Pom on this team or this fan base.

Edited September 5, 2018 by Maxbialystock

[mvp 78]

In the playoffs, defensive replacements and pinch hitting are more important than the 11th and 12th guy in the pen.

[oldtimer]

In the playoffs, defensive replacements and pinch hitting are more important than the 11th and 12th guy in the pen.

 

My god! Brandon Philips is a real pro. He did many things to help us today. Plays multiplle positions, can hit, still has good speed. If there is any way, he should also be in consideration for a playoff roster spot. I like the fact that the Sox have so many good experienced players that can come in and make a difference. Kinsler, Nunez, Moreland, Pearse and now Philips. What finds these guys have been.

[mvp 78]

My god! Brandon Philips is a real pro. He did many things to help us today. Plays multiplle positions, can hit, still has good speed. If there is any way, he should also be in consideration for a playoff roster spot. I like the fact that the Sox have so many good experienced players that can come in and make a difference. Kinsler, Nunez, Moreland, Pearse and now Philips. What finds these guys have been.

 

After reading this article, I'm 100% on board the Phillips hype train:

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/2018/09/silverman_veteran_brandon_phillips_can_t_stop_smiling_after_getting_call_to

[moonslav59]

I'm for 12 pitchers over 11, despite all the down time. There's a single reason for this: EXTRA INNINGS. There's still no limit on innings, and these games are too crucial to not have back up after back up. And in games as competitive as these, it would not be unusual to see a 13-15 inning game played.

 

If we carry 2 or 3 long men, we'd probably be alright in extra innings. (2 or 3 from Wright, Eovaldi, Pom, Johnson, Velazquez).

 

When everyone was healthy, we carried 3 catcher. We also carried 12-13 pitchers.

 

To me, this is the most important decision.

 

I'm okay with 12 pitchers, but I want Leon to catch Sale and Porcello and Vaz to catch Price & ERod. Swihart has not caught one inning with any of those 4 guys all year.

[moonslav59]

In the playoffs, defensive replacements and pinch hitting are more important than the 11th and 12th guy in the pen.

 

I'd like to see 11 pitchers, but we have only 2 positions where we might need defensive replacements, and both positions have no defensive depth.

 

Nunez or Holt for Kinsler? Nope.

 

Nunez or Holt for Devers? Meh...maybe. (Devers for Nunez? Nope.)

 

The only bench we need is the Moreland-Pearce platoon at 1B, some depth at 2B/3B and a PH'er for our catcher(s).