Playoff Roster Construction

BaseballJones

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I know we've been talking about the playoffs in a few threads, but I don't see a thread dedicated only to the playoff roster. Now that the Sox have officially clinched a playoff spot (at least in the one-game playoff...hey it still counts) maybe we can talk about the entire playoff roster.

Some big questions are:

1. Who is the starting rotation?
2. Who are the last few guys in the bullpen, assuming Kimbrel, Reed, Price, and Kelly are automatic?
3. If Nunez is healthy, he gets a spot, but does he get a start?
4. Who is the DH between Nunez, Hanley, and Devers (most likely candidates)?
5. What does the bench look like?

For me, as of this moment, understanding that a lot can change in the next 10 days, here's how I'd do it:

Rotation: Sale, Pomeranz, Rodriguez, Porcello
Bullpen: Workman, Reed, Scott, Price, Kelly, Smith, Kimbrel

C: Vazquez, Leon
IF: Moreland, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Nunez, Devers
OF: Benintendi, Bradley, Betts, Davis

That's 22 spots. Need 3 more. The people under consideration would be:

- Hanley: bad Hanley isn't worth having on the roster, but a hot Hanley absolutely is a game-changer for this lineup
- Holt: defensive flexibility all over the field - that could come in real handy even though he can't hit
- Marrero: outstanding IF defense - could be key defensive replacement at the end of a game
- Young: veteran RH bat in the OF, generally tough on lefties, decent power
- Travis: more power in a RH bat, but limited in the field
- Lin: basically a lefty version of Marrero - solid defensive IF but hits lefty
- Swihart: may never need a 3rd C, but Vazquez and Leon could actually be used as a quality PH option, which might mean it would be handy to have a 3rd C off the bench; could also pinch run
- Fister: long man out of the pen if needed
- Abad: a LOOGY option to put in the bullpen
- Barnes: he's been a bullpen mainstay all season
- Hembree: he's also been a bullpen mainstay all season, could also throw multiple innings
- Maddox: new kid on the block has been outstanding in relief
- Boyer: he's been pretty dependable actually in the pen

How would you guys construct the playoff roster?
 

Koufax

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I'd include Young, Marrero and Travis. I don't like Young, but if you need a 5th outfielder, he's about as good as Holt defensively and while he's a bad hitter he's not as terrible as Holt has been this year. Marrero for his IF defense and Travis for the possibility of a big bat to use in a pinch hit situation. I think he's more likely to be productive in that role than Hanley. I assume that Devers is the DH in American League parks with Nunez playing third.

I'd delete Scott from the bullpen and add Barnes.
 

AB in DC

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I wouldn't assume that Robby Scott has a spot on the playoff roster. His only value is as a LOOGY, and he'd be completely neutralized by a RH PH (.814 OPS allowed). His success against LHHs is entirely BABIP-driven (4.84 FIP) so I don't know how much you can rely on that.

Besides, Price will be the #1 lefty out of the bullpen, anyway. So is Scott really essential to this playoff roster? I could maybe see him making it as the 25th man, but that's far from certain.
 

BaseballJones

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Yeah I'm not *assuming* Scott will be on the playoff roster. I'd just put him there if I was in charge. No idea if he will actually be on. The thing about Price is that it's not clear he can go back-to-back days. Things can change in 10 days, but I think another lefty is crucial. Maybe Scott AND Abad, I don't know.

Barnes was great two nights ago but scares me to death. Still...he seems to have Farrell's confidence.
 

findguapo

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Hanley is going to be on the postseason roster, and starting, if he is healthy - which he appeared to be last night.
 
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BaseballJones

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So to be crystal clear, this thread is about what we would do if we were in charge, not what we think will happen, given the people who are, in fact, in charge. Correct?
Sure, but I'm sure there will be plenty of posts talking about what is likely to happen. Really...just want to talk about the playoff roster in one single thread, as opposed to the playoff rotation in the rotation thread and the playoff bullpen in the bullpen thread, etc.
 

pk1627

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I agree on Scott. There's no huge LH bat for him with Houston and Francona will ph immediately if he comes in.

So I'd put Barnes on the pitching staff. Can't believe I just wrote that.

I'd add Hanley, Young and Marrero. I see no way Farrell doesn't opt for Holt, but we need a Pokey Reese type with Pedroia's knee and worries about infield D.
 

joe dokes

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There's a lot to consider, and its still early, but . . .

The "problem" with rostering Hanley, Moreland AND Travis is that each only plays one position defensively. So I think Travis is out.

I think given that Devers is a LHH, that Holt doesn't make it, and Marrero does. (I think Marrero will get a few more PA's vs LHP's in the last 10 games to see if his platoon split is real enough.) Holt's *only* advantage over Marrero is that he can play OF in a pinch.

I love the idea of Swiahrt to let Vaz PH, but I doubt that happens.
 

Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat

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Hanley is going to be on the playoff roster. I'd also be shocked if Barnes isn't on the roster.
And I think Holt will get a spot over Marrero. For better or worse, the organization seems to trust Holt more.
I think Fister gets a spot over Scott.
And then I think the Workman spot is still up for grabs--might be him, another pitcher, or another position player
 

nvalvo

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There's a lot to consider, and its still early, but . . .

The "problem" with rostering Hanley, Moreland AND Travis is that each only plays one position defensively. So I think Travis is out.

I think given that Devers is a LHH, that Holt doesn't make it, and Marrero does. (I think Marrero will get a few more PA's vs LHP's in the last 10 games to see if his platoon split is real enough.) Holt's *only* advantage over Marrero is that he can play OF in a pinch.

I love the idea of Swiahrt to let Vaz PH, but I doubt that happens.
In the last two or three weeks, Holt has been improved, if not quite good. The .240/.367/.320 line he's posted in September looks more like a line the pre-concussion Holt might have had than the .178/.276/.208 that preceded it.
 

TFisNEXT

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I think I'd want Marrero in there for his defensive potential late in games...esp with Devers struggling some at 3B. Holt has the better positional flexibility, but he's never been better than average at 3B in his career defensively. Most of the metrics actually have him below average there.

Regardless, I do think they will put Holt on the roster though.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Basically the extra spot (only 4 starters needed) allows either Davis or another reliever.

If this was my choice:

11 pitchers/14 position players (5 man bench)

Rotation: Sale, Pomeranz, Rodriguez, Porcello
Bullpen: Kimbrel, Reed, Smith, Workman, Scott, Price, Kelly

All these guys are good pitchers - even the two guys left off -Barnes and Hembree - are decent.

Kimbrel closes, Reed and Smith share the high leverage 7/8 innings. Price could share these duties dependent on his bounce back capability. Mix and match with the rest.

Lineup (in no particular order
C-Vazquez
1B-Moreland
2b-Pedroia
ss-X
3b-Nunez
lf-Benentendi
cf-Bradley
rf-Betts
dh Devers

Bench
c-Leon
1b/dh/ph- Hanley
of/ph -Young
inf/pr - Marrero
of/ph/pr: Davis

Against a LH starter you could swap in Hanley and/or Young

PH: Hanley, Young

Davis runs

Leon, Young and Marrero are glued to the bench. Except Leon for Sale

As I'm not really utilizing the 5th bench guy I might want to swap Young for Barnes or Abad.


If this was Farrell / DD:

I think Barnes is a mortal lock in Farrell's mind

12 pitchers/13 position players (4 man bench)

Rotation: Sale, Pomeranz, Rodriguez, Porcello
Bullpen: Kimbrel, Reed, Smith, Workman, Scott, Price, Kelly, Barnes

Lineup (in no particular order
C-Vazquez
1B-Moreland
2b-Pedroia
ss-X
3b-Nunez
lf-Benentendi
cf-Bradley
rf-Betts
dh Devers

Bench
c-Leon
1b/dh/ph- Hanley
inf/pr - Marrero
of/ph/pr: Davis

Leaving Young off is quite easy as you have Davis as a 4th OF (with Nunez in an emergency). Marrero covers 3b/ss/2b. The only guy(s) you would PH for are Moreland and (possibly) Devers. The bench gets a little short if both are replaced. Against a LH starter you could swap in Hanley for Moreland.

PH: Hanley

Davis runs

Leon, Marrero are glued to the bench. Except Leon for Sale
 
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joe dokes

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If going with 11Ps (which I prefer in a 5 game series with 2 days off....), I prefer Barnes to Scott.
 

Sox and Rocks

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Holt has no business on the playoff roster. As a backup infielder, he has to be behind whichever one of Devers or Nunez that doesn't start at 3rd in a particular game, and he should certainly be behind Marerro, too, given that Marerro is much better in the field and has hit lefties well, albeit small sample size. As an outfielder, he has to be behind Young and Davis.

Holt's main value is his versatility, which is somewhat useful in the long regular season but becomes far less helpful in a playoff series with extra off days. Besides, if one of our regulars got hurt during the playoffs, the roster can be changed and he can be added (though, even then, there will undoubtedly be better options).

I think Barnes definitely makes it. Perhaps he shouldn't, but Farrell has used him as the primary setup man most of the season, even recently when giving Reed a night off, and he used him to close the other night. I don't think he has fallen (will fall) low enough in the pecking order to not even be on the roster.
 

RedOctober3829

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If the playoffs started today....
Infielders(8): Vazquez, Leon, Moreland, Ramirez, Pedroia, Nunez, Bogaerts, Devers
Outfielders(5): Betts, Benintendi, Bradley, Young, Davis
Rotation(4): Sale, Pomeranz, Porcello, Rodriguez
Bullpen(8): Kimbrel, Reed, Price, Kelly, Workman, Smith, Barnes, Abad

Just missing the cut: Hembree, Fister, Marrero, Holt
 

Lose Remerswaal

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But they don't start today, there are 10 games left which will decide:

4th starter
7th and 8th reliever (and I have Price in there)
Nunez health and Pedroia health (neither one is healthy).
Lin, Holt, Davis, Marrero, vs. alternatives. If Pedroia isn't going to be able to play 2B every day then that requires an extra infielder and might put someone you'd expect to be on the roster on the sidelines. Heck, if Hanley isn't healthy then I could see more of Vazquez at DH with Swihart on the bench.
 

richgedman'sghost

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Nobody has mentioned Maddox as a bullpen option? It would not surprise me in the least, if he makes the post season roster over Workman or Barnes. I have noticed that the Red Sox have been auditioning Austin in more high leverage situations lately.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Nobody has mentioned Maddox as a bullpen option? It would not surprise me in the least, if he makes the post season roster over Workman or Barnes. I have noticed that the Red Sox have been auditioning Austin in more high leverage situations lately.
He's had exactly one appearance in which the average leverage of his outing was above average, and that was the two shutout innings he pitched (12th and 13th) in the 19 inning game against Toronto on September 5 (aLI of 2.42). In every other outing, his average leverage index has been below 1.0.

In his five most recent outings, going backward, he pitched the 9th inning ahead by 9 runs, faced one batter in the 6th inning down by 1, pitched in the 6th and 7th down by 2, pitched the 8th and 9th up by 10, and pitched the 8th and 9th up by 6. Hardly like they've been throwing him into the fire.

Maddox is pitching well, but I think he's only getting his chances because they're trying to get other guys some extra rest. I don't think he's close to being a consideration for the post-season bullpen. Not without a couple guys getting hurt or spectacularly flaming out in the next 11 days.
 

simplicio

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Keuchel is the only lefty starter for Houston or Cleveland; I'd really like to see Marrero get at least the start against him at the end of this month.
 

DJnVa

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I wouldn't assume that Robby Scott has a spot on the playoff roster. His only value is as a LOOGY, and he'd be completely neutralized by a RH PH (.814 OPS allowed). His success against LHHs is entirely BABIP-driven (4.84 FIP) so I don't know how much you can rely on that.

Besides, Price will be the #1 lefty out of the bullpen, anyway. So is Scott really essential to this playoff roster? I could maybe see him making it as the 25th man, but that's far from certain.
How is something like FIP calculated against just LHH? How do you determine IP against just one set of hitters? Do you simply eliminate the RHH and recreate "innings"?
 

AB in DC

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I'm not a stathead, but FIP is a pretty easy stat to calculate splits for -- all it does it take the HRs allowed, walks, and strikeouts and convert that into a single number. That's easy to do with any subset of batters faced. Other stats, not so much.
 

smallball

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I'd include Young, Marrero and Travis. I don't like Young, but if you need a 5th outfielder, he's about as good as Holt defensively and while he's a bad hitter he's not as terrible as Holt has been this year. Marrero for his IF defense and Travis for the possibility of a big bat to use in a pinch hit situation. I think he's more likely to be productive in that role than Hanley. I assume that Devers is the DH in American League parks with Nunez playing third.

I'd delete Scott from the bullpen and add Barnes.
All Young does is burn a roster spot ... unless you're looking for a righty off the bench to whiff.
 
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Koufax

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Holt OPS - .525
Young OPS - .705

Which bat would you rather have on the roster? All that either provides is defensive depth (assuming that both Nunez and Marrero are on the roster). Or is there someone else whom you would add? Fister?
 

Dewey'sCannon

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Marrero > Holt/Lin - can start at 3B vs. LH, and late inning sub at 3b or 2b.
Davis > Young
Swihart > Young - it would allow them to use Vaz as a DH or PH when Leon catches, and at this point I think he's better for this than Young. And Swihart also gives them a good PR. But I expect them to take Young, unfortunately.
Scott > Abad
 

DJnVa

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I'm not a stathead, but FIP is a pretty easy stat to calculate splits for -- all it does it take the HRs allowed, walks, and strikeouts and convert that into a single number. That's easy to do with any subset of batters faced. Other stats, not so much.
FIP uses IP in it's formula:
The formula is (13*HR+3*(HBP+BB)-2*K)/IP, plus a constant (usually around 3.2) to put it on the same scale as earned run average
How do you determine IP against LHH? A pitcher faces, say: LHH, RHH, LHH, LHH, RHH, LHH, LHH. How many IP is that?

I've seen ERA versus LHH or RHH as well, and always wondered how it was calculated.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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FIP uses IP in it's formula:

How do you determine IP against LHH? A pitcher faces, say: LHH, RHH, LHH, LHH, RHH, LHH, LHH. How many IP is that?

I've seen ERA versus LHH or RHH as well, and always wondered how it was calculated.
Isn't IP essentially outs recorded? Every three outs recorded is an inning pitched. If a pitcher faces 36 lefties and retires 27 of them, can't that be viewed as 9 innings of work?
 

Gubanich Plague

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It can get complicated. For example, say a pitcher gives up a single to a right-handed batter, then induces a double-play grounder by a left-handed batter. I would think that you count that as 2/3 of an inning against left-handed batters, yet the pitcher faced only 1 left-handed batter.

It's similar to what happens when a relief pitcher comes in with men on base; he can get credit for more thirds of an inning pitched than batters faced.

FIP seems to have just this one accounting wrinkle. I've always wondered how one calculates ERA against left-handed batters, for example.
 

DJnVa

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Isn't IP essentially outs recorded? Every three outs recorded is an inning pitched. If a pitcher faces 36 lefties and retires 27 of them, can't that be viewed as 9 innings of work?
Sure, you *could* do that, but every situation is different. How do you build the inning in between--he was facing RHH that were changing the base/out status, etc. which changes how you would approach the next hitter, etc.
 

AB in DC

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You're overthinking this. IP is just outs divided by three. If a pitcher faces two RHHs and a LHH, and retires all three, that's 2/3 IP against RHH and 1/3 IP against LHH.

There may be some gray areas (like the double-play example above) but this works 90% of the time at least.
 

geoduck no quahog

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Mortal Locks:

C:Vazquez / Leon
IF: Moreland, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Devers, Nunez (assuming healthy)
OF: BBB
SP: Sale, Pomeranz, Rodriguez, Porcello
RP: Kimbrel, Reed, Kelly, Smith, Price

That's 19.

Holt (LHB)
Davis (PR)
Young (PH)

That's 22: 2 C, 6 IF, 5 OF, 4 SP, 5 RP

Leaving 3.

I can't see them going without a LOOGY: Scott (maybe Abad?)

That leaves 2 of Hembree, Barnes, (say) Abad, Workman, Fister

Somehow I envision them carrying Fister into the playoffs, don't ask why (long relief / low leverage).

If not - I predict Hembree and Barnes based on regular season usage - Barnes over Hembree.

Or...they go with 5 on the bench - which makes no sense against an AL opponent.
 

E5 Yaz

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Mortal Locks:

C:Vazquez / Leon
IF: Moreland, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Devers, Nunez (assuming healthy)
OF: BBB
SP: Sale, Pomeranz, Rodriguez, Porcello
RP: Kimbrel, Reed, Kelly, Smith, Price

That's 19.

Holt (LHB)
Davis (PR)
Young (PH)

That's 22: 2 C, 6 IF, 5 OF, 4 SP, 5 RP

Leaving 3.

I can't see them going without a LOOGY: Scott (maybe Abad?)

That leaves 2 of Hembree, Barnes, (say) Abad, Workman, Fister

Somehow I envision them carrying Fister into the playoffs, don't ask why (long relief / low leverage).

If not - I predict Hembree and Barnes based on regular season usage - Barnes over Hembree.

Or...they go with 5 on the bench - which makes no sense against an AL opponent.

cough ... Hanley ... cough
 

DJnVa

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You're overthinking this. IP is just outs divided by three. If a pitcher faces two RHHs and a LHH, and retires all three, that's 2/3 IP against RHH and 1/3 IP against LHH.
Pardon my curiosity, because that's all it is. I'm not "overthinking" it. I'm asking HOW they calculate a stat because I want to know how it's done. I find it easier to trust a number when I know how they do it.

Game one, two LHHs go: SINGLE, OUT
Game two, LHHs go HR, OUT, OUT, OUT

That's 4 outs, so 1.1 IP. How many runs do you assign? 2, because HR was only after 1 out was recorded? Or one because giving up that HR was in a second game?
 

PapaSox

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If the playoffs started today....
Infielders(8): Vazquez, Leon, Moreland, Ramirez, Pedroia, Nunez, Bogaerts, Devers
Outfielders(5): Betts, Benintendi, Bradley, Young, Davis
Rotation(4): Sale, Pomeranz, Porcello, Rodriguez
Bullpen(8): Kimbrel, Reed, Price, Kelly, Workman, Smith, Barnes, Abad

Just missing the cut: Hembree, Fister, Marrero, Holt
I'd go with this, however; I'd replace Abad with Fister. I'd like another arm that can go long if need be.
 

SirPsychoSquints

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Pardon my curiosity, because that's all it is. I'm not "overthinking" it. I'm asking HOW they calculate a stat because I want to know how it's done. I find it easier to trust a number when I know how they do it.

Game one, two LHHs go: SINGLE, OUT
Game two, LHHs go HR, OUT, OUT, OUT

That's 4 outs, so 1.1 IP. How many runs do you assign? 2, because HR was only after 1 out was recorded? Or one because giving up that HR was in a second game?

FIP doesn't care how many runs scored. It only cares how many strikeouts, how many walks, how many homers and how many outs.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/glossary/index.php?search=FIP
 

soxeast

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Vaz's numbers have been "sick" lately. Since Devers joined the team and played his 1st game July 25th, with 118 at bats his slash line is .373/.408/.559/.967.

In the playoffs, do you play him every day including DH with Sale? I''m just asking but if Vaz conitnues to hit, you have to find a way to play every day, don't you?
-------
As for Nunez. Does he bump Hanley? Or does he bump Devers? Nunez bat is better than Hanley's, isn't it? Or maybe you put Nunez at 3rd and then what? Would the DH be Devers? Over Hanley?
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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I wish the Sox would have brought Brentz up, so they could have dropped Young maybe. He is awful, and seems like a waste of a postseason roster spot. I’d rather they go with Marrero.
 

BigPapiMPD34

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Here is my ALDS roster, assuming we play Houston. Key notes for this series is that Houston only has 2 LHHs in their lineup and its nobody scary (Reddick & McCann); While they have a RHH heavy lineup, our bullpen is stacked with righty killers and our LH SPs are surprisingly good vs RHHs. Their RH power hitters could take advantage of the Monster. They are also terrible at throwing out baserunners. The combo of LH SPs and Vazquez/Leon should limit the Astro's running game. One down note is that practically every hitter is horrible vs Verlander in their career. Things to look out for these last 4 regular season games is Nunez' health, Porcello vs Fister, and the performance of Barnes/Workman. Note that if we make the ALCS, that roster could change drastically.

Starters:
LF: Benintendi
CF: Bradley, Jr.
RF: Betts
3B: Devers
SS: Bogaerts
2B: Pedroia
1B: Moreland
DH: Ramirez
C: Vazquez

Bench:
C: Leon (catches Sale)
OF: Young (starts at DH vs Keuchel; Ramirez shifts to 1B)
OF: Davis (primary pinch runner)
INF: Nunez (starts at 3B vs Keuchel; secondary pinch runner)
INF: Marrero (late inning defensive replacement at 3B)

Rotation:
SP 1: Sale
SP 2: Pomeranz
SP 3: Porcello (most likely to get rocked, so have him pitch after off day with full bullpen available; open to swapping with Fister)
SP 4: Rodriguez

Bullpen:
CL: Kimbrell
8th: Reed
RH: Smith (perfect for getting out of jams with runners on base)
LH: Price (perfect if need multiple innings as bridge to Reed/Kimbrell)
RH: Kelly (middle relief; RHH .191 BAA)
RH: Maddox (middle relief; 15 shutout innings at MLB level; RHH .152 BAA)
RH: Barnes (pitching well lately, but open to swapping with Workman or Fister; RHH .208 BAA)

Off Roster:
C: Swihart (with Leon catching only Sale, no need to carry 3 catchers; plus, all 5 bench players have a specific role/value)
1B: Travis (not needed for ALDS, but could make ALCS if face lefty heavy pitching staff)
INF: Lin (hasn't played much in Sept; simply around in case another IF gets injured)
INF/OF: Holt (while he is a super utility guy, hasn't performed well this year; with 2 IF and 2 OF on bench, not as valuable; Nunez a better hitter, while Marrero better defensively)
SP: Fister (would join rotation if SP gets injured; could be used as long-reliever, but not as valuable in a 5 game series with multiple off days; RHH .203 BAA)
LH: Scott (primary loogy, but Houston has only 2 LHHs - Reddick, who gets platooned and McCann; would likely make ALCS roster)
LH: Abad (secondary loogy; would only possibly make ALCS if its a lefty heavy lineup)
RH: Workman (middle relief; while I prefer him over Barnes, he has only pitched a scoreless inning in 2 out of his last 10 appearances; go with the hot hand; RHH .213 BAA)
RH: Velazquez, Boyer, Hembree (available in case of injuries)
 
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AB in DC

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I don't think we can assume Nunez will be healthy enough to be a factor next week. His spot probably goes to Holt.

I also don't see any reason to put Chris Young on the roster. Ideally, Keuchel would pitch opposite Sale, in which case just move Vazquez to DH. Young doesn't hit well enough to be a PH, and Davis/Holt can backup the outfield spots just fine. I would replace him with another bullpen arm (Abad or Hembree) to be used whichever game Sale/Pom/EdRo doesn't start.
 

BigPapiMPD34

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I don't think we can assume Nunez will be healthy enough to be a factor next week. His spot probably goes to Holt.

I also don't see any reason to put Chris Young on the roster. Ideally, Keuchel would pitch opposite Sale, in which case just move Vazquez to DH. Young doesn't hit well enough to be a PH, and Davis/Holt can backup the outfield spots just fine. I would replace him with another bullpen arm (Abad or Hembree) to be used whichever game Sale/Pom/EdRo doesn't start.
I agree, if Nunez is out then Holt takes his spot. However, I would be hesitant to DH Vazquez in 2 games this series. That prevents you from pinch hitting for Leon unless you want to lose the DH spot once Vazquez enters the game at catcher. Young is 7 for 23 in his career vs Keuchel, while Davis is 0-17, so Young seems to be the better fit. I think people are putting too much weight into Young's stats this year as he only has 100 ABs vs LH spread over the course of 6 months. His 15:17 BB:K ratio makes me think he's had some poor BABIP luck in a small sample size. Of course another option would be to DH Nunez if he is on the roster.

In regards to Abad, I don't think there's any way he is on the roster. He's the secondary loogy against a team that doesn't have any good lefty hitters. Hembree is likely not even in consideration for the bullpen.
 

AB in DC

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Abad is absolutely not a LOOGY. He's pitched 43 innings in 46 appearances and faced just one batter exactly four times out of the 46. He doesn't have a particular large platoon split either (3.39 FIP against LHH, 3.86 FIP against RHH).
 

BigPapiMPD34

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Apr 9, 2006
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Boston, MA
Abad is absolutely not a LOOGY. He's pitched 43 innings in 46 appearances and faced just one batter exactly four times out of the 46. He doesn't have a particular large platoon split either (3.39 FIP against LHH, 3.86 FIP against RHH).
Yes, but in the playoffs are you really going to put him in the game over Kimbrell, Smith, Price, Reed, Workman, Kelly, Barnes, etc? Especially considering he'll be facing RHHs? He would have no value on the roster. If you want to simply add an arm to the pen, it would make sense to get a multi-inning guy. If he ends up on the ALCS roster, he would be used as a loogy.

In terms of the regular season, Scott has been used as the primary lefty in tough situations, while Abad has been the secondary lefty. He has either been used to get 1 or 2 lefties out (22 appearances < 1 inning) or has been used in primarily low-leverage innings. Based on this usage, if the Sox end up adding a LH RP, Scott would be the guy.
 
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TFisNEXT

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I agree, if Nunez is out then Holt takes his spot. However, I would be hesitant to DH Vazquez in 2 games this series. That prevents you from pinch hitting for Leon unless you want to lose the DH spot once Vazquez enters the game at catcher. Young is 7 for 23 in his career vs Keuchel, while Davis is 0-17, so Young seems to be the better fit. I think people are putting too much weight into Young's stats this year as he only has 100 ABs vs LH spread over the course of 6 months. His 15:17 BB:K ratio makes me think he's had some poor BABIP luck in a small sample size. Of course another option would be to DH Nunez if he is on the roster.

In regards to Abad, I don't think there's any way he is on the roster. He's the secondary loogy against a team that doesn't have any good lefty hitters. Hembree is likely not even in consideration for the bullpen.
Agreed on Young. BB/K numbers will tend to normalize faster than other metrics. If people are legit concerned about his numbers against LHP, then I'm not sure why they are not screaming for him to start against RHP as he is sporting an .801 OPS against righties this year. That is 3rd best on the team behind Benintendi and Nunez.

I'm ok with Young's bat against Keuchel.
 

AB in DC

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Yes, but in the playoffs are you really going to put him in the game over Kimbrell, Smith, Price, Reed, Workman, Kelly, Barnes, etc? Especially considering he'll be facing RHHs? He would have no value on the roster. If you want to simply add an arm to the pen, it would make sense to get a multi-inning guy. If he ends up on the ALCS roster, he would be used as a loogy.
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Yes, I would use him over Workman (5 HRs allowed in his last twelve appearances). Abad and Hembree have comparable stats for the season, but Hembree seems to have faded a bit in the second half while Abad has seemingly gotten better. If you want a possible multi-inning guy, I guess that's Boyer (39.2 IP in 31 appearances), but he's got less of a track record than even Abad.

But in any case, I'd rather see two innings from any one of these relieves than two innings from either Porcello or Fister.