Playoff Roster

[Guancous]

Who gets left out of the rotation?

 

Who gets sent to the bench?

 

Will any of the new bullpen pieces make it?

 

Does the opponent change your perception of who to keep?

[Bull]

Who gets left out of the rotation?

 

Who gets sent to the bench?

 

Will any of the new bullpen pieces make it?

 

Does the opponent change your perception of who to keep?

 

Hammel, Matchups, Depends on the effectiveness of Rondon and Strop when they return, and yes.

 

The big question is whether Seal Boy makes it.

[apete6]

NLDS Roster:

 

P (11): Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Lackey, Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Wood, Monty, Edwards, Grimm

 

IF (6): Rizzo, Zobrist, Russell, Bryant, Baez, LaStella (LH PH)

 

C (3): Contreras, Ross, Miggy

 

OF (5): Heyward, Fowler, Soler, Szczur, Almora (late inning defense)

 

If they don't want Miggy and/or LaStella on the roster, I'd assume they'd take Cahill and/or Coghlan.

 

I don't see any situation where Hammel makes the roster unless Lackey comes back and pitches like trash all of September and/or is hurt.

[UMFan83]

Seal boy will definitely make it. Joe has repeatedly hinted he needs his LH bat off the bench.

[Tim]

I think Miggy gets left off. It'll come down to who the Cubs would want available as a long man - I'd guess they'll keep Hammel for that role over Cahill.

[Cubswin11]

Cahill should make it over Wood but that won't happen, I could see 1 of Montero or Almora left off for him though.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't think Almora makes the roster, they aren't going to defensively replace Fowler and the difference in 1-2 innings of Almora in LF over Szczur isn't all that much. Plus they can use Baez in a similar fashion by moving Bryant/Zobrist to the OF.

 

 

Last year they went 11 pitchers for both the NLDS and NLCS and kept 5 starters, which means Cahill is definitely out, and Hammel bumps a reliever, I'll guess Montgomery.

 

It also looks like Montero is trending towards not being on the roster, but with 14 position players I don't see a path to leaving him out if Almora isn't there.

 

The wild card is if they want another Quentin Berry type on the roster. The closest thing in Iowa is Kris Negron and he's a poor man's Quentin Berry, so they'd need to go outside the org and do it today. That's what could push Montero(or Coghlan if he doesn't hit in September) off the roster.

 

So basically, Apete's roster, plus Hammel and Coghlan, minus Montgomery and Almora, with the chance a speedster bumps Coghlan or Montero.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Cahill should make it over Wood but that won't happen, I could see 1 of Montero or Almora left off for him though.

 

Depending on what roles we want and need guys to fill, I can see a case for Wood making the playoff roster. I hate Wood just as much as the next guy. But, hear me out. Wood has been really tough on lefties this year. The periphs (BB, K, etc.) don't look good against lefties. But, he's been really tough to hit. And he has been great against them historically, too. I would be fine with him being used as a LOOGY in the playoffs, if he is used strictly as a LOOGY. None of this horsefeathers you are doing with him now, Joe. One guy and one guy only. And only when necessary. If it's the seventh inning and L/R/L are due up, put in Strop. Don't you dare go to Wood in that situation. He should only be used in a situation like this: 5th inning, starter is having a rough go of it, and is in a jam. Lefty batter that struggles against lefties is coming to bat.

 

If Strop and Rondon are healthy and the 7-8-9 Bullpen of Doom is intact, that drops Edwards and Grimm back as guys to fill in whenever necessary. That makes Cahill a little redundant. And Montgomery doesn't really have huge platoon splits. So having a LOOGY makes some sense, as long as he is just a LOOGY.

[Cubswin11]

Cahill should make it over Wood but that won't happen, I could see 1 of Montero or Almora left off for him though.

 

Depending on what roles we want and need guys to fill, I can see a case for Wood making the playoff roster. I hate Wood just as much as the next guy. But, hear me out. Wood has been really tough on lefties this year. The periphs (BB, K, etc.) don't look good against lefties. But, he's been really tough to hit. And he has been great against them historically, too. I would be fine with him being used as a LOOGY in the playoffs, if he is used strictly as a LOOGY. None of this [expletive] you are doing with him now, Joe. One guy and one guy only. And only when necessary. If it's the seventh inning and L/R/L are due up, put in Strop. Don't you dare go to Wood in that situation. He should only be used in a situation like this: 5th inning, starter is having a rough go of it, and is in a jam. Lefty batter that struggles against lefties is coming to bat.

 

If Strop and Rondon are healthy and the 7-8-9 Bullpen of Doom is intact, that drops Edwards and Grimm back as guys to fill in whenever necessary. That makes Cahill a little redundant. And Montgomery doesn't really have huge platoon splits. So having a LOOGY makes some sense, as long as he is just a LOOGY.

Fair enough I just don't see being properly used that way.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Cahill should make it over Wood but that won't happen, I could see 1 of Montero or Almora left off for him though.

 

Depending on what roles we want and need guys to fill, I can see a case for Wood making the playoff roster. I hate Wood just as much as the next guy. But, hear me out. Wood has been really tough on lefties this year. The periphs (BB, K, etc.) don't look good against lefties. But, he's been really tough to hit. And he has been great against them historically, too. I would be fine with him being used as a LOOGY in the playoffs, if he is used strictly as a LOOGY. None of this [expletive] you are doing with him now, Joe. One guy and one guy only. And only when necessary. If it's the seventh inning and L/R/L are due up, put in Strop. Don't you dare go to Wood in that situation. He should only be used in a situation like this: 5th inning, starter is having a rough go of it, and is in a jam. Lefty batter that struggles against lefties is coming to bat.

 

If Strop and Rondon are healthy and the 7-8-9 Bullpen of Doom is intact, that drops Edwards and Grimm back as guys to fill in whenever necessary. That makes Cahill a little redundant. And Montgomery doesn't really have huge platoon splits. So having a LOOGY makes some sense, as long as he is just a LOOGY.

Fair enough I just don't see being properly used that way.

 

True. But, what's the proper way to use Cahill with a fully healthy bullpen? I would argue it would never be proper to use him -- unless it is like a 10-run blowout, in which case, who cares if it is Wood or Cahill?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Wood is pitching full innings/facing RHP because the regular season is a long grind without many days off, and multiple late inning relievers are hurt. Neither will be true in the playoffs. Wood isn't going to be asked to get Justin Turner or Buster Posey out in the playoffs when Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Edwards, and Grimm are all there and there's multiple off days over the course of a 5-7 game series.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Wood is pitching full innings/facing RHP because the regular season is a long grind without many days off, and multiple late inning relievers are hurt. Neither will be true in the playoffs. Wood isn't going to be asked to get Justin Turner or Buster Posey out in the playoffs when Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Edwards, and Grimm are all there and there's multiple off days over the course of a 5-7 game series.

 

This is true. And it's probably due to all the bullpen suckage earlier in the year and now because of injuries, but I feel like Joe used Wood a lot better last year. I'm not going to bother to go check. But, I feel like he used him more as a LOOGY/long guy. Those are the two appealing things about him as a pitcher. He's tough on lefties and he's a former starter with a rubber arm. It's a weird thing to be, and I think Joe pushed all the right buttons with him by exploiting his ability to be both.

 

This year, it seems like he's been used more as a one inning reliever (or at least he's used him with that intent until he got in trouble and got pulled). His usage reflects that he's just another guy in the pen -- not this weird guy with a special ability to be a LOOGY and a long guy. I don't think Joe has gotten the most of Wood, since he hasn't let him do what he does best.

 

Wood's also been much worse than last year, so he probably wouldn't have been good in any role this year.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I don't think Almora makes the roster, they aren't going to defensively replace Fowler and the difference in 1-2 innings of Almora in LF over Szczur isn't all that much. Plus they can use Baez in a similar fashion by moving Bryant/Zobrist to the OF.

 

 

Last year they went 11 pitchers for both the NLDS and NLCS and kept 5 starters, which means Cahill is definitely out, and Hammel bumps a reliever, I'll guess Montgomery.

 

It also looks like Montero is trending towards not being on the roster, but with 14 position players I don't see a path to leaving him out if Almora isn't there.

 

The wild card is if they want another Quentin Berry type on the roster. The closest thing in Iowa is Kris Negron and he's a poor man's Quentin Berry, so they'd need to go outside the org and do it today. That's what could push Montero(or Coghlan if he doesn't hit in September) off the roster.

 

So basically, Apete's roster, plus Hammel and Coghlan, minus Montgomery and Almora, with the chance a speedster bumps Coghlan or Montero.

 

Haren wasn't on last year's playoff roster.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

ugh, brain fart on my part

 

That leaves the door open to considering Montgomery over Hammel I guess, although as much as they seem to not trust 2nd half Hammel I'd be surprised if they entrusted Montgomery with a potential postseason start just so they could have two middle inning lefties.

[SouthSideRyan]

I see no reason to take Hammel.

[Tim]

I see no reason to take Hammel.

Long extra inning game or a starter getting hurt early in a game is pretty much all I've got.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

He also might be a better reliever than Montgomery outright.

[apete6]

I see no reason to take Hammel.

Long extra inning game or a starter getting hurt early in a game is pretty much all I've got.

 

In which case I'd rather have Cahill, anyway, due to his experience actually pitching in relief recently.

[raw]

NLDS Roster:

 

P (11): Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Lackey, Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Wood, Monty, Edwards, Grimm

 

IF (6): Rizzo, Zobrist, Russell, Bryant, Baez, LaStella (LH PH)

 

C (3): Contreras, Ross, Miggy

 

OF (5): Heyward, Fowler, Soler, Szczur, Almora (late inning defense)

 

If they don't want Miggy and/or LaStella on the roster, I'd assume they'd take Cahill and/or Coghlan.

 

I don't see any situation where Hammel makes the roster unless Lackey comes back and pitches like trash all of September and/or is hurt.

 

I think a lot will depend on the matchups. I think Montero will probably get a spot and catch Arrieta in Game 1 and a potential final game of the series. But I think all bets are off for the NLCS if he doesn't hit or allows the other team to run wild.

 

If the Cubs get the Giants, I think they'll keep 2 LHPs as they have a lineup full of LHHs. Mets, Cardinals, Pirates or Marlins, I'd hope they'd keep Cahill, who's a better pitcher.

[Bull]

I see no reason to take Hammel.

Long extra inning game or a starter getting hurt early in a game is pretty much all I've got.

 

In which case I'd rather have Cahill, anyway, due to his experience actually pitching in relief recently.

I'd like to see them piggyback Montgomery and hammel throughout September with hammel in relief. See if he he can be a great reliever. One of the benefits of clinching early.

[Gilby]

If we play the Dodgers, I think we'd take all of Wood/Montgomery/Rob Z, and Lester would get games 1 and 5. I hope Lester gets game 1 no matter who we play, though.

[David]

If we play the Dodgers, I think we'd take all of Wood/Montgomery/Rob Z, and Lester would get games 1 and 5. I hope Lester gets game 1 no matter who we play, though.

 

I'm still giving Jake the ball in game one.

[biittner77]

Who is your game 2 starter? Hendricks has been better at home. Maybe Lester in game 3.

[David]

Who is your game 2 starter? Hendricks has been better at home. Maybe Lester in game 3.

 

i, personally, couldn't care less about home/road splits. arrieta, lester, hendricks, lackey is how i'd go.

 

i could probably be talked into hendricks #2 but it wouldn't be because of home/road.

[Cubswin11]

Yeah don't care about home/road. However if we faced the Giants and especially the Dodgers in the DS I'd strongly consider going Lester in game 1 so he'd be able to go game 5 since they are very left dependent lineups.