Red Sox Officially Announce Wild Card Round Roster vs Yankees

[Brandon Glick]

Sometimes when playoff rosters are announced, there's a surprise or two that gets the fans buzzing.

The Red Sox have opened no such door for us this time around. Their Wild Card Round roster was just announced prior to Game 1 against the New York Yankees, and it's gone to chalk.

PITCHERS (12): Brayan Bello, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Crochet, Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, Zack Kelly, Steven Matz, Justin Slaten, Payton Tolle, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Wilson

CATCHERS (2): Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong

INFIELDERS (4): Alex Bregman, David Hamilton, Nathaniel Lowe, Trevor Story

OUTFIELDERS (4): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder, Masataka Yoshida

INFIELDER/OUTFIELDERS (4): Nate Eaton, Romy Gonzalez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard

The big name missing is Lucas Giolito, though it was already previously announced that he'd miss the series with an elbow issue. The fallout will be if a Game 3 is necessary, as the Red Sox will need to figure out who will start that contest.

What do you think of the Red Sox's playoff roster? Are you surprised by any decisions made by Alex Cora and the front office?

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[moonslav59]

I might take Mr. BB, Murphy, over Kelly, but no big deal. Neither will pitch unless it's a blowout.

[Nick John]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I might take Mr. BB, Murphy, over Kelly, but no big deal. Neither will pitch unless it's a blowout.

Murphy isn't eligible since he was optioned on Sunday. Needed to wait 15 days until he can be recalled unless someone on the playoff roster goes on the IL. Also, Murphy was already unlikely to make it due to Wilson, Matz and one of Harrison/Early being in the pen. Not to mention Chapman

[moonslav59]

5 minutes ago, Nick John said:

Murphy isn't eligible since he was optioned on Sunday. Needed to wait 15 days until he can be recalled unless someone on the playoff roster goes on the IL. Also, Murphy was already unlikely to make it due to Wilson, Matz and one of Harrison/Early being in the pen. Not to mention Chapman

I would not take him over the guys you mentioned- only maybe Kelly.

I guess they won't put Gio on the IL, so Murph's out for 15 days, I guess. No big deal. Kelly is about the same risk.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, Nick John said:

Murphy isn't eligible since he was optioned on Sunday. Needed to wait 15 days until he can be recalled unless someone on the playoff roster goes on the IL. Also, Murphy was already unlikely to make it due to Wilson, Matz and one of Harrison/Early being in the pen. Not to mention Chapman

Murphy wouldn't be available again until WS. Not a guy who is going to swing a playoff series TBH.

[mvp 78]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I would not take him over the guys you mentioned- only maybe Kelly.

I guess they won't put Gio on the IL, so Murph's out for 15 days, I guess. No big deal. Kelly is about the same risk.

Kelly has much higher upside and has seemed to pitch well lately. I know he's a rollercoaster, but he had some great performances last season against the Yankees. 

[Kimmi]

Sounds like a winning roster to me!

[Nick John]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Murphy wouldn't be available again until WS. Not a guy who is going to swing a playoff series TBH.

Not true. It would have been Game 1 of ALCS he's eligible for. 

[mvp 78]

15 hours ago, Nick John said:

Not true. It would have been Game 1 of ALCS he's eligible for. 

Game 1 is the 15th day. He's not eligible until Game 2, I believe.