Breaking down the wild-card roster options
The Pirates and Giants have until 10 a.m. Wednesday to set their 25-man rosters for the wild-card game. They have a few decisions to make. Based on what they did last year, we can take an educated guess.
Last year’s roster:
Pitchers:
Francisco Liriano (starter)
Gerrit Cole
Jeanmar Gomez
Jason Grilli
Vin Mazzaro
Mark Melancon
Bryan Morris
Tony Watson (L)
Justin Wilson (L)
Catchers:
John Buck
Russell Martin
Tony Sanchez
Infielders:
Pedro Alvarez (L)
Clint Barmes
Josh Harrison
Garrett Jones (L)
Jordy Mecer
Justin Morneau
Gaby Sanchez
Neil Walker
Outfielders:
Marlon Byrd
Starling Marte
Andrew McCutchen
Travis Snider (L)
Jose Tabata
That’s nine pitchers, seven of them relievers, a starter and a reserve starter in case of early trouble; three catchers; eight infielders; and five outfielders.
Here’s what we know about this year’s roster.
Pitchers:
Edinson Volquez (starter)
Mark Melancon
Tony Watson (L)
Justin Wilson (L)
Jared Hughes
Catchers:
Russell Martin
Chris Stewart
Tony Sanchez
Infielders:
Clint Barmes
Ike Davis (L)
Gaby Sanchez
Jordy Mercer
Neil Walker (S)
Josh Harrison
Outfielders
Starling Marte
Andrew McCutchen
Travis Snider (L)
As you can see, that is a conservative estimate of only the sure things, so let’s look at the battles at each position.
Pitcher:
The Pirates will probably keep a starter in reserve in case Volquez gets lit up early. The guess here is Vance Worley, whose day to pitch on regular rest would be Wednesday and who has been very solid of late. They will take three other relievers. Jeanmar Gomez, John Axford, John Holdzkom, Bobby LaFromboise, Casey Sadler and Stolmy Pimentel are possibilities. I would have to think Axford and Holdzkom are favorites given their velocity. Clint Hurdle will already have two lefties, so I’m not sure LaFromboise would make the list. Gomez is probably in the lead of the long-relief guys. He has pitched six consecutive scoreless outings.
Catcher:
There’s not much to do here in terms of roster construction, but there is uncertainty about who will play and for how long. Russell Martin has his tight hamstring, though with three days of rest and treatment he might be ready to start. Chris Stewart was hit with Johnny Cueto’s bat in his left wrist, forcing him from Sunday’s game, but he might be ready to go. Tony Sanchez was probably going to make it anyway -- he did last year -- for flexibility, but he’ll certainly make it now.
Infielders: After four relievers, three usual ones and a backup starter, are added, there will be four spots left. Pedro Alvarez will not be active. Chase d’Arnaud might be, as a late-inning pinch-runner. Brent Morel is on the bubble. There isn’t much use for him, but the Pirates might not want four reserve outfielders on the bench and could prefer to have another corner guy in case they need to move Josh Harrison elsewhere.
Outfielders: So say Morel makes it. That leaves three spots for Gregory Polanco, Jose Tabata and Andrew Lambo. The question probably comes down to Lambo vs. Morel. Polanco, who has been serving as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement for Snider as Snider deals with hamstring trouble, should make the team, and Tabata is the only right-handed reserve outfielder.
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MLB announced the umpires for the game. Joe West is the crew chief -- buckle up.
Also, the starting times for the first two NLDS games have been announced. If the Pirates win, they play the Nationals Friday at 12:07 p.m. and Saturday at 5:37 p.m.
We’re going to chat today at noon, so stop on by. You can find it here.