Playoff Roster

I was flipping through trying to figure out the best roster we could take into the playoffs, and man is our pitching stacked.

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For a Rotation I think

1. Verlander
2. Framber
3. Javier
4. Odo

with Garcia & Urquidy being used in tandem starts with Odo & Javier because they both have trouble regularly getting deep into games.

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I gave Odo the last spot even though I think Garcia deserves it more because I think Odorizzi out of the Pen is a nightmare.

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LMJ moves into the pen because I don't trust that he can be built back into a reliable starter getting deep in games coming off a serious injury in August. We can stretch him back out this spring and let him join the rotation next year.

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I believe Lance can really help the pen with multi inning relief and flexibility, can be used in high leverage situations.

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For the pen I think we let Montero be the traditional closer.

Hear me out. Presley in a fireman role is statistically more advantageous. Would you rather him face 2,3,4 in the 8th, or 6,7,8 in the 9th?

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I want him facing the better batters

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That leaves Stanek as the Set Up man

Maton & Neris as Middle Relief

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and our 13th spot is a bit up in the air. Ideally we'd want LHP here, but we don't really have any.

Adam Morgan may be our best option depending how the injuries to our staff work out.

His upside is a little better than average.

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If not him either we trade for LHP or we let Abreu and Martinez battle it out for the last spot.

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For position players it's a bit easier

C. Maldy

1B. Yuli

2B. Altuve

SS. Peña

3B. Bregman

LF. Brantley

CF. Meyers

RF. Tucker

DH. Yordon

Backup C. Castro….

This leaves 3 Bench Spots

1. Dubon (CF/LF/Middle IF)
2. Diaz (IF/LF)
3. Open

I'd like to replace Diaz honestly, Mattijevic is getting a shot right now, but I don't think he will be ready for the playoffs.

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The "Open" spot will probably go to Siri or McCormick

Outfield Defense is clutch late in games and speed on the base paths doesn't hurt either.

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In an ideal world Yainer Diaz gets it figured out and can play 1B & C competently, but I'm unsure if he manages or not.

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Goodrum is another option here because he is tearing it up in AAA and likely gets the September Call-up spot to try to prove his worth to us one last time.

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Finally, I know Castro isn't popular here. However, Justin Verlander is better when Castro catches

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Verlander's Stats –

89.1 IP – 22 ER – 84K – 16 BB – 10-3 W/L – 2.22 ERA – 8.46 SO/9 -1.61 BB/9 – 5.25 K/BB

When Maldy Catches (8 games) –

50.2 IP – 17 ER – 46K – 9 BB – 5-2 W/L (1 ND) – 3.02 ERA – 8.17 SO/9 – 1.6 BB/9 – 5.11 K/BB

When Castro Catches (6 games) –

38.2 IP – 5 ER – 38K – 7 BB – 5-1 W/L – 1.16 ERA – 8.44 SO/9 – 1.63 BB/9 – 5.43 K/BB

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Verlander is a true Bona fide Ace. And 3 catchers isn't unheard of.

If Verlander wants his own personal Catcher you let him have his personal Catcher and carry 3.

That's why I'm hopeful for Yainer, he can play first and C to allow defensive flexibility with a 3rd catcher.

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I know this post is long, so I will make a separate post just talking about Castro and why he belongs on the team.