Potential Playoff Roster

[EdMonix11]

Where'd you see this?

Cleveland.com

Francona said coaches had wanted Salazar to pitch a simulated game, but Salazar "didn't want to do it."
"It's a hard one because it's a game situation," Francona said. "We'll do the best we can. And that's what we told him."

 

[macbdog]

Buck Showalter went out of his way to say good things about the Tribe. Not just the players but the farm system, etc....

Buck was an advisor to the Tribe FO after his canning by Texas.

 

[sportscoach]

Since I've been on the Tito picking Tomlin over Clevinger crusade, I want to make it clear, I'm a huge Clevinger fan and I would absolutely start him over Tomlin in a playoff game. I just don't think Tito will.... I hope I'm wrong.

At the end of the day I don't think either of them is wrong to start. Clev has had a good season and overall has had better production in some ways. Tomlin is a well liked guy with a ton of experience. Francona will likely go with Tomlin cause of the experience factor, but neither guy may actually pitch in the post season as a starter anyways. I only see game 4 of the ALCS or game 4 of the World Series were they may type of thing. I think the other guys will get two starts in both of those series

 

[CBBI]

Francona will likely go with Tomlin cause of the experience factor, but neither guy may actually pitch in the post season as a starter anyways

I'd be completely shocked if the Indians make it to the ALCS and don't use a 4th starter.

They would end up having to pitch all three starters on short rest if they only went with Kluber-Carrasco-Bauer and the series went 7 games.

Why stretch everyone that thin when you have a 4th starter as good as Clevinger has been?

 

[sportscoach]

I'd be completely shocked if the Indians make it to the ALCS and don't use a 4th starter.

They would end up having to pitch all three starters on short rest if they only went with Kluber-Carrasco-Bauer and the series went 7 games.

Why stretch everyone that thin when you have a 4th starter as good as Clevinger has been?

It also just depends on if we can win the series in game 4 as well. If we are going for a sweep do we put Kluber in or do we put in Clev/Tomlin?

I doubt we won't use a fourth starter, but this team if they have a chance to sweep the ALCS or the World Series they may not use a 4th one.

 

[sportscoach]

Urshela is starting todays game at 2B. He doesn't have any big league experience from what I can remember at the position so we need to keep an eye on that since if he can play a solid 2B that almost guarantees him a playoff roster spot.

Ps. Slightly off topic, but Chisenhall has been coming in games at 1st base. I have a hunch he will play there a ton in the offseason and be our 1st baseman next season and not Brantley.

 

[CBBI]

It also just depends on if we can win the series in game 4 as well. If we are going for a sweep do we put Kluber in or do we put in Clev/Tomlin?

I doubt we won't use a fourth starter, but this team if they have a chance to sweep the ALCS or the World Series they may not use a 4th one.

If they're up 3-0 in a series, I'd feel comfortable pitching the No. 4 starter. I'd want my No. 1 guy on regular rest in Game 5, but that's just me.

They did the "Kluber in Game 4 of the ALCS thing up 3-0" last year and lost the game.

 

[sportscoach]

If they're up 3-0 in a series, I'd feel comfortable pitching the No. 4 starter. I'd want my No. 1 guy on regular rest in Game 5, but that's just me.

They did the "Kluber in Game 4 of the ALCS thing up 3-0" last year and lost the game.

My Dad wants to pitch Merritt in that game so that way they could get more rest. I agree with you at the end of the day, but it's impossible to rule it out.

So what would your schedule look like for pitching probables?

Like First round

Kluber game 1 Carrasco 2 Bauer 3, who is game 4/5 for you if it happens?

Next two rounds

Kluber 1, Carrasco 2, Bauer 3, Clev/Tomlin 4 then who will be 5-7 for you?

 

[CBBI]

So what would your schedule look like for pitching probables?

What I would do...

ALDS
Thu, Oct 5: Kluber
Fri, Oct 6: Carrasco
Sun, Oct 8: Bauer
Mon, Oct 9: Kluber (short rest, if needed)
Wed, Oct 11: Carrasco (full rest, if needed)

ALCS (if ALDS sweep)
Fri, Oct 13: Kluber
Sat, Oct 14: Carrasco
Mon, Oct 16: Bauer
Tue, Oct 17: Clevinger
Wed, Oct 18: Kluber
Fri, Oct 20: Carrasco
Sat, Oct 21: Bauer

ALCS (if ALDS goes 4)
Fri, Oct 13: Carrasco
Sat, Oct 14: Kluber
Mon, Oct 16: Bauer
Tue, Oct 17: Clevinger
Wed, Oct 18: Carrasco
Fri, Oct 20: Kluber
Sat, Oct 21: Bauer

ALCS (if ALDS goes 5)
Fri, Oct 13: Bauer
Sat, Oct 14: Kluber
Mon, Oct 16: Carrasco
Tue, Oct 17: Clevinger
Wed, Oct 18: Bauer
Fri, Oct 20: Kluber
Sat, Oct 21: Carrasco

If they make the World Series, then all bets are off in terms of short rest, but I don't want to needlessly pitch Kluber or Carrasco on short rest before then unless they absolutely have to.

 

[EdMonix11]

We haven't talked about him making the playoff roster but, with Tito using him in a close game today, I think Breslow could possibly sneak on. We know Tito LOVES his lefty/lefty matchups....

 

[CBBI]

We haven't talked about him making the playoff roster but, with Tito using him in a close game today, I think Breslow could possibly sneak on. We know Tito LOVES his lefty/lefty matchups....

If Miller is healthy, I can't envision a scenario where Breslow has a chance to be on the team.

Seems like Olson would be the 2nd lefty. Don't see a scenario where they would go with three.

 

[sportscoach]

We haven't talked about him making the playoff roster but, with Tito using him in a close game today, I think Breslow could possibly sneak on. We know Tito LOVES his lefty/lefty matchups....

With Miller healthy and Olson being perfect, there isn't a spot in round 1 for Breslow unless the team we are facing are extremely heavy left sided hitting then he would replace a McAllister

 

[CBBI]

With Miller healthy and Olson being perfect, there isn't a spot in round 1 for Breslow unless the team we are facing are extremely heavy left sided hitting then he would replace a McAllister

It's going to be interesting how it shakes out with the postseason pitching staff. I personally think they're going to go with a five man bench and 11 pitchers.

Kluber, Carrasco, Bauer are starting locks. Allen, Miller, Shaw, Smith are bullpen locks.

That leaves four spots for eight guys: Tomlin, Clevinger, Salazar, Olson, Goody, Otero, McAlister and Breslow.

To me, Olson is a lock at this point. A .377 OPS v. LHP gets him in as the LOOGY.

So that leaves three spots for seven guys. I think the easiest ones to remove are Breslow and McAlister.

So at that point it's down to Tomlin, Clevinger, Salazar, Goody and Otero fighting for three spots.

 

[EdMonix11]

With Miller healthy and Olson being perfect, there isn't a spot in round 1 for Breslow unless the team we are facing are extremely heavy left sided hitting then he would replace a McAllister

I'm thinking he'd take McAllister's spot. ZMac's usage has been in decline and Tito using Breslow for one out today has me thinking it's a tryout of sorts. Let's face it, ZMac isn't pitching in a close game. At least Breslow could matchup against lefties....

 

[EdMonix11]

So at that point it's down to Tomlin, Clevinger, Salazar, Goody and Otero fighting for three spots.

And three of the five are starters and can't be used like traditional relievers... that'd be abuse.

The 4th or 5th starter (depending on the series) will be in a long relief role and that's it