Post season roster

[nats2playoffs]

THE OFFICIAL NLDS PLAYOFF ROSTER SUBMITTED BY 10 AM FRIDAY OCT 6
http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2017/10/nlds-roster-includes-goodwin-robles-romero-lobaton.html

Mark Zuckerman @MarkZuckerman 15m15 minutes ago
Goodwin, Robles, Lobaton, Solis, Romero make roster. No Severino, Blanton, Jackson or Cole ...

https://twitter.com/markzuckerman?lang=en

Here’s the final 25-man NLDS roster ...

PITCHERS (11): Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Max Scherzer, Tanner Roark, Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler, Matt Albers, Oliver Perez, Sammy Solis, Enny Romero

CATCHERS (2): Matt Wieters, Jose Lobaton

INFIELDERS (6): Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Murphy, Trea Turner, Anthony Rendon, Adam Lind, Wilmer Difo

OUTFIELDERS (6): Jayson Werth, Michael A. Taylor, Bryce Harper, Howie Kendrick, Brian Goodwin, Victor Robles

 

The Nationals will have a seven-man bullpen for their best-of-five series against the Cubs. Closer Sean Doolittle is joined by right-handed setup men Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler and Matt Albers, plus a trio of lefties who can be used to match up against specific Chicago batters: Oliver Pérez, Sammy Solis and Enny Romero. The club was debating whether to carry an eighth reliever, specifically someone who could provide long relief in case Max Scherzer (battling a hamstring injury) or another member of the rotation exits early. In the end, the Nats decided not to keep Edwin Jackson, A.J. Cole or Matt Grace for that role. They also left veteran right-hander Joe Blanton off the roster, prioritizing left-handers instead.

The six-man bench will include veterans Adam Lind and Howie Kendrick, plus backup infielder Wilmer Difo and a pair of rookie outfielders in Goodwin and Robles. Goodwin hasn’t played in a big league game since he strained his groin Aug. 13, but the 26-year-old proved to club officials he is healthy after playing in the instructional league in West Palm Beach, Fla., last week and then participating fully in team workouts this week at Nationals Park. Robles, meanwhile, makes the postseason roster despite only 13 games and 27 plate appearances of major league experience. The 20-year-old impressed the Nationals with his raw skills and composure upon his promotion last month, and could prove a dangerous weapon as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement.

The Nationals did side with experience in selecting a backup catcher. Jose Lobaton, who struggled this season while batting .170 with a .525 OPS, was nonetheless kept on the NLDS roster over Pedro Severino, who continues to be viewed as the organization’s catcher of the future.

[DPMOmaha]

Lotta lefties in that bully.

[Smithian]

Considering Robles seems to be the pinch runner and defensive sub, that shows good confidence from the organization. De Aza is more than adequate at both those roles and is a veteran.

Robles is a dang good prospect.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

yup but no idea who #7 is

edit nevermind I see its Romero

interesting. Not Blanton. I guess if the 7th guy is used, it'll be in a one-sided situation, so I guess getting Romero the chance in the playoffs is a long run move with minimal positive or negative short-term effect.  Sorry for Blanton, though.

Edit - I have not looked at the Cubs for lefty/ righty hitter balance, but I guess if they want to match up lefty-lefty for more than one guy, this gives the Nats some options.

[Count Walewski]

What a year for Victor Robles.

[nats2playoffs]

interesting. Not Blanton. I guess if the 7th guy is used, it'll be in a one-sided situation, so I guess getting Romero the chance in the playoffs is a long run move with minimal positive or negative short-term effect.  Sorry for Blanton, though.

Edit - I have not looked at the Cubs for lefty/ righty hitter balance, but I guess if they want to match up lefty-lefty for more than one guy, this gives the Nats some options.

                                      BA     OBP      SLG    OPS   
Cubs batters vs lefties  264   .349     .428   .777
Cubs batters vs RHPs  .252   .334     .440   .774

[imref]

So I'm guessing the rotation is Strasburg-Gio-Scherzer-Strasburg-Gio with Roark as the long reliever?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

A quick look at lefty / righty splits for the Cubs who have had > 100  PAs against lefties shows that Happ is the only hitter who does mediocre to poor v lefties and hits righties very well.  Rizzo is a complete stud, so I'm not sure you throw a guy like Perez against him rather than Kintzler or Madson.  Even Happ has an average wRC+ v. lefties (he crushes righties), so he's doing OK.  Zobrist and Heyward are below average against both lefties and righties.

Simplest reason for going with Romero is I guess he's a bit better than Blanton.  That's all.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So I'm guessing the rotation is Strasburg-Gio-Scherzer-Strasburg-Gio with Roark as the long reliever?

I think Roark starts if we are up 2-1 going into game 4.

[imref]

I think Roark starts if we are up 2-1 going into game 4.

yeah, unless one of the starters gets hurt or has a meltdown and he's needed sooner.

[Ray D]

So I'm guessing the rotation is Strasburg-Gio-Scherzer-Strasburg-Gio with Roark as the long reliever?

That would mean Strasburg pitching game 4 on short rest. That's not going to happen unless we're down 2-1 and facing elimination.  If we're up 2-1 I'm sure it will be Roarke in game 4.

[Slateman]

Considering Robles seems to be the pinch runner and defensive sub, that shows good confidence from the organization. De Aza is more than adequate at both those roles and is a veteran.

Robles is a dang good prospect.

If all you want is a defensive sub and pinch runner, Robles is far superior

[dshawg77]

Considering Robles seems to be the pinch runner and defensive sub, that shows good confidence from the organization. De Aza is more than adequate at both those roles and is a veteran.

Robles is a dang good prospect.

De Aza is awful. Are you related to this guy?

Robles is clear choice and not even close IMO.

[aspenbubba]

I'm surprised that Romero made it over Cole who I was advocating for a while. I was ambivalent about Lobaton and Severino. Goodwin and Robles  had no acceptable alternates on the 40 man. I hope the powers that be made the correct assessment on Goodwins health and ability to hit MLB pitching are prescient . One of the things missing in this conversation is that Dusty does not have to use the fringe players in a significant role other than late inning defense and pinch running. I really hope that Romero is not put in a meaningful situation as I do not love his body language in stressful AB's.

[whytev]

Also think he is Werth D replacement insurance too.

If Werth gets on after the 5th Robles runs and Robles fields.

[dcpatti]

I'm surprised that Romero made it over Cole who I was advocating for a while. I was ambivalent about Lobaton and Severino. Goodwin and Robles  had no acceptable alternates on the 40 man. I hope the powers that be made the correct assessment on Goodwins health and ability to hit MLB pitching are prescient . One of the things missing in this conversation is that Dusty does not have to use the fringe players in a significant role other than late inning defense and pinch running. I really hope that Romero is not put in a meaningful situation as I do not love his body language in stressful AB's.

I too am really surprised about Enny making the cut but when he's on, he throws straight fire, so keep him on a tight leash and build up his confidence because if we face the Dodgers next, we will be happy for a fire-thrower who makes lefty batters *super* uncomfortable at the plate.   

[Optics]

If we're up 2-0 going into Chicago I'd consider going with Roark in Game 3 and pushing Scherzer to Game 4. If we win then we win the series anyway and Scherzer gets more time to rest his hammy, if we lose we go Scherzer and then Stras to close out the series.

Looking a little bit too far ahead, but something to think about for sure.

[DPMOmaha]

If we're up 2-0 going into Chicago I'd consider going with Roark in Game 3 and pushing Scherzer to Game 4. If we win then we win the series anyway and Scherzer gets more time to rest his hammy, if we lose we go Scherzer and then Stras to close out the series.

Looking a little bit too far ahead, but something to think about for sure.

I don't think there's a scenario where I don't throw Scherzer in game 3 if he's ready to go.

[dcpatti]

I don't think there's a scenario where I don't throw Scherzer in game 3 if he's ready to go.

Agreed. If we go into Chicago up 2-0 and Max is feeling good, then it's time to step on their necks and eliminate those bandwagon baby bears.

[imref]

Congrats to Victor Robles.

Next year's OF battle is going to be interesting to watch.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I'm pretty happy with this.  I'm kind of torn on Emmy as the 7th reliever, but there wasn't a clear alternative. 

[dshawg77]

I too am really surprised about Enny making the cut but when he's on, he throws straight fire, so keep him on a tight leash and build up his confidence because if we face the Dodgers next, we will be happy for a fire-thrower who makes lefty batters *super* uncomfortable at the plate.

Good thoughts on the original post. I think Enny is a lottery ticket of sorts but kinda agree with OP on Cole, I probably would have gone Cole there, but I trust Dusty.

Servino over Lobaton makes sense but would be a big slap in the face.

Goodwin is anyone's guess at this point.

Let's go Nats!

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

THat was before. Howie locked in this year. Bryce Harper broken.

Howie > Bryce
Hey, Caps are going all the way this year.

Howie still >Bryce?

[varoadking]

So what are the guys that didn't make the NLDS roster doing in the meantime?  Anyone keeping tabs on them?

[spidernat]

They're hanging out in the dugout during games. Didn't you see Jackson in the dugout and shaking hands after the win?