Which 25?

[Texifornia]

NLALDS line-up will be interesting. If the Astros win, it can change for the LCS and again for the WS, but the LDS is only best of five series so that may influence the thinking of the Astros' "Brain Trust".

Here's my guess:

13 Players:
Springer
Altuve
Yuli
Marwin
Carlitos
Maybin
Bregman
Gattis
McCann
Beltran
Reddick
Centeno
Kemp

12 Pitchers
Keuchel
Verlander
Morton
Musgrove
Devo
Giles
Harris
Liriano
McHugh
Peacock
Gregerson
McCullers

My prediction is that Keuchel starts game 1. That means he will be the one who will have to pitch on three days rest if there's a game 4, but it also means Verlander would be ready for a Game 5 if necessary on four days rest. Verlander gets the ball in game 2 and McHugh in Game 3 with Peacock / Morton / Musgrove waiting in the wings for the first sign of trouble.

Marwin gives the Brain Trust the flexibility to put 12 instead of 11 pitchers and that helps in any extra inning games or possibly in Game 3.

McCullers is a tough call, but who instead? Sipp? Feliz? Martes? Clippard?

[VirtualBob]

McCullers is a tough call, but who instead? Sipp? Feliz? Martes? Clippard?

Martes.

[Andyzipp]

If I were in charge (for the ALDS)...

Starters
Game 1 Verlander
Game 2 Keuchel
Game 3 Morton

Bullpen:
Giles
Devenski
Harris
Musgrove
Liriano
Peacock
McHugh
Gregerson
Clippard

Position Players:
Springer 8
Reddick 9
Altuve 4
Correa 6
Gonzalez 7
DH
McCann / Gattis 2
Bregman 5
Gurriel 3

DH:
Beltran against righties,
Gattis/McCann against lefthanders

Bench:
Maybin
Kemp
Centeno

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I just really want Kemp on the postseason roster.  His versatility and contact ability are exactly what you need off the bench.

[Texifornia]

I just really want Kemp on the postseason roster.  His versatility and contact ability are exactly what you need off the bench.

That's my thinking as well.

[Fredia]

so who is pitching thursday.

[Andyzipp]

Probably not announced until Wednesday.  Team is off today, and have workouts scheduled for Tuesday/Wednesday.

[Texifornia]

If I were in charge (for the ALDS)...

Bullpen:
Giles
Devenski
Harris
Musgrove
Liriano
Peacock
McHugh
Gregerson
Clippard

Why Clippard?

[astrojo]

I just really want Kemp on the postseason roster.  His versatility and contact ability are exactly what you need off the bench.

I'm bummed: Hinch says Kemp, Martes, Stassi sent to Florida instructional league to work out and stay baseball sharp. Moran, Guduan, Davis sent home.

Sure would have preferred Kemp over strikeout king Fisher

[HudsonHawk]

I'm bummed: Hinch says Kemp, Martes, Stassi sent to Florida instructional league to work out and stay baseball sharp. Moran, Guduan, Davis sent home.

Sure would have preferred Kemp over strikeout king Fisher

My guess on Fisher is that he can play all three outfield positions, if necessary, and he does have the occasional pop.  Kemp, while less prone to the strikeout, is limited to LF and simply can't tie a game with one swing for you. 

[juliogotay]

Hinch on why Centeno over Stassi: https://twitter.com/jakemkaplan/status/915326136464183296

[juliogotay]

My guess on Fisher is that he can play all three outfield positions, if necessary, and he does have the occasional pop.  Kemp, while less prone to the strikeout, is limited to LF and simply can't tie a game with one swing for you.

And Reddick isn't 100%.

[Navin R Johnson]

And Reddick isn't 100%.

Im guessing he sits Thursday vs a lefty

[juliogotay]

Im guessing he sits Thursday vs a lefty

Friday is a LHer too but Hinch indicates that the plan is to play him. https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/915318311944163330

[JimR]

And Reddick isn't 100%.

He plays CF just fine.

[Andyzipp]

Im guessing he sits Thursday vs a lefty

Interesting little quandary  for Hinch because Reddick is .214/.214/.286 in 14 at bats against Sale, but Maybin is worse (.148/.148/.148 in 14 at bats) and Fisher has never faced him.

[mrpink]

Interesting little quandary  for Hinch because Reddick is .214/.214/.286 in 14 at bats against Sale, but Maybin is worse (.148/.148/.148 in 14 at bats) and Fisher has never faced him.

What makes that more interesting is that even though Reddick has been pretty bad in his career vs lefties (.229/.289/.365), he's been well above average this year (.315/.360/.402) in 101 plate appearances.

He hasn't faced Sale this year so those 14 at bats might not be representative of his true current talent level.

[JimR]

He plays CF just fine.

This was about Kemp.

[Andyzipp]

https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/915933809786462209

Not a fan of McCullers over McHugh.  Hope the Astros advance and the team can find a spot for Colin.

[Jacksonian]

https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/915933809786462209

Not a fan of McCullers over McHugh.  Hope the Astros advance and the team can find a spot for Colin.

Hinch may be looking at a 3 man rotation for the LDS and thinks McCullers is the better bullpen option than McHugh.

[Andyzipp]

Hinch may be looking at a 3 man rotation for the LDS and thinks McCullers is the better bullpen option than McHugh.

I get the reasoning, but I don't agree with it.  Similar to my feelings on Fisher over Kemp.  But not my decision to make. 

Really hope that McCullers can keep his head on straight when/if he gets used.

[Uncle Charlie]

I get the reasoning, but I don't agree with it.  Similar to my feelings on Fisher over Kemp.  But not my decision to make. 

Really hope that McCullers can keep his head on straight when/if he gets used.

+1

[MikeyBoy]

I get the reasoning, but I don't agree with it.  Similar to my feelings on Fisher over Kemp.  But not my decision to make. 

Exactly my thoughts, as well. Oh well, let's go kick their ass.

[Ebby Calvin]

I probably missed an official list posted here, but in case I didn't (per MLB):

PITCHERS (11)
Chris Devenski
Ken Giles
Luke Gregerson
Will Harris
Dallas Keuchel
Francisco Liriano
Lance McCullers Jr.
Charlie Morton
Joe Musgrove
Brad Peacock
Justin Verlander

CATCHERS (3)
Juan Centeno
Evan Gattis
Brian McCann

INFIELDERS (6)
Jose Altuve
Alex Bregman
Carlos Correa
Marwin Gonzalez
Yuli Gurriel
Tyler White

OUTFIELDERS (5)
Carlos Beltran
Derek Fisher
Cameron Maybin
Josh Reddick
George Springer

No McHugh

[NeilT]

You pays yer mon-ey and you takes yer choice.

[NeilT]

I'm stunned!  Did Hinch forget we're in the AL?  We're not carrying a DH!

[das]

I would have taken McHugh over Gregerson, Liriano, McCullers. Regardless of handedness and previous reliever experience but because of ability and make up. I guess that’s why I’m not managing an MLB team. .

[BlownRanger]

I would have taken McHugh over Gregerson, Liriano, McCullers. Regardless of handedness and previous reliever experience but because of ability and make up. I guess that’s why I’m not managing an MLB team. .

I don't remember if it was Hinch or Luhnow, but the quote when Liriano was getting shelled was "We didn't get him to win games in August.  We got him to win games in October".  Francisco has been very good down the stretch, but it's put up or shut up time, now.

[Andyzipp]

I would have taken McHugh over Gregerson, Liriano, McCullers. Regardless of handedness and previous reliever experience but because of ability and make up. I guess that’s why I’m not managing an MLB team. .

Gregerson is still the only pitcher on the 40-man roster with a post-season save.  That bought him a spot (not that he'll get any save opportunities).

[BizidyDizidy]

Liriano had a 1.59 ERA in September with 11.1 K/9, 0.882 WHIP in 10 appearances...

[Texifornia]

I get the reasoning, but I don't agree with it.  Similar to my feelings on Fisher over Kemp.  But not my decision to make. 

I've been questioning Hinch's line-up decisions all season long, so I'm not surprised by being surprised. Of course, he manages a 101 win MLB club and I do whatever it is that I do.   

[juliogotay]

Liriano had a 1.59 ERA in September with 11.1 K/9, 0.882 WHIP in 10 appearances...

they made some adjustments as to where the catcher sets up for Liriano. Basically they just set up in the middle of the plate as he was having trouble hitting spots. Sometimes wildness is just a pitcher with +movement.

[BizidyDizidy]

Didn't Mariano do something similar?

[Mr. Happy]

they made some adjustments as to where the catcher sets up for Liriano. Basically they just set up in the middle of the plate as he was having trouble hitting spots. Sometimes wildness is just a pitcher with +movement.

Even after his serious injury several years ago, Liriano still has a wipe out slider.

[Texifornia]

There's a re-set on the 25 man roster for the ALCS. I hope they put another pitcher on the roster instead of Tyler White. Not knocking White, but there will be a need for another mid-inning arm and Colin McHugh should be fresh as a daisy.

[Fredia]

maybe the plan all along?

[Bench]

There's a re-set on the 25 man roster for the ALCS. I hope they put another pitcher on the roster instead of Tyler White. Not knocking White, but there will be a need for another mid-inning arm and Colin McHugh should be fresh as a daisy.

Definitely need at least one more pitcher going from a 5 to a 7 game series.

[Ebby Calvin]

Definitely need at least one more pitcher going from a 5 to a 7 game series.

Do we still need 3 catchers?  Did we ever need 3 catchers?

[Bench]

Do we still need 3 catchers?  Did we ever need 3 catchers?

I think so.  When Gattis DH's he can't be moved to catcher without losing the DH spot.  In those games having Centeno on the roster allows Maybin to be deployed as a late-inning pinch runner for McCann.

[JimR]

Do we still need 3 catchers?  Did we ever need 3 catchers?

Yes, we do.

[AtascAstro]

I think so.  When Gattis DH's he can't be moved to catcher without losing the DH spot.  In those games having Centeno on the roster allows Maybin to be deployed as a late-inning pinch runner for McCann.

Appreciate the explanation.  I had thought of the implications for Gattis at DH but not the pinch running opportunity.  Makes a lot of sense.

[Randy Watson]

Three catchers is the right call.

I would prefer McHugh over Gregerson though.

[juliogotay]

Three catchers is the right call.

I would prefer McHugh over Gregerson though.

Gregerson has done his job every time out this postseason. McHugh is untested out of the pen. Unless you plan on giving McHugh a start Gregerson strikes me as the choice.

[JimR]

Appreciate the explanation.  I had thought of the implications for Gattis at DH but not the pinch running opportunity.  Makes a lot of sense.

Plus a catcher who can throw.

[hostros7]

Tyler White seems to be the logical subtraction is another pitcher is added.


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[Mr. Happy]

Do we still need 3 catchers?  Did we ever need 3 catchers?

In the playoffs, given our first two catchers, yes. And I think that Centeno is a good ballplayer.

[Andyzipp]

Not a surprise but the only change in the ALCS roster is the addition of Colin McHugh and the subsequent subtraction of Tyler White.

[Ebby Calvin]

In the playoffs, given our first two catchers, yes. And I think that Centeno is a good ballplayer.

I like Centeno as well.  I didn't consider the DH/pinch run scenario laid out a few posts ago - that makes sense to me.

[VirtualBob]

Not a surprise but the only change in the ALCS roster is the addition of Colin McHugh and the subsequent subtraction of Tyler White.

Do the 'extras' get to sit in the dugout at least?  That would be nice.

[Andyzipp]

Do the 'extras' get to sit in the dugout at least?  That would be nice.

They did for the ALDS.

[Bench]

Not a surprise but the only change in the ALCS roster is the addition of Colin McHugh and the subsequent subtraction of Tyler White.

That's a relief.  McTaggart mentioned last night that Hinch was evaluating whether to add McHugh, Martes, Feliz, Clippard or Hoyt.  Seemed like a pretty straightforward choice to me given McHugh's general unflappability, his performance down the stretch and the other pitchers' lack-there-of, but of course I'm sure there are lots of factors that Hinch and Luhnow and all were evaluating. 

[Andyzipp]

That's a relief.  McTaggart mentioned last night that Hinch was evaluating whether to add McHugh, Martes, Feliz, Clippard or Hoyt.  Seemed like a pretty straightforward choice to me given McHugh's general unflappability, his performance down the stretch and the other pitchers' lack-there-of, but of course I'm sure there are lots of factors that Hinch and Luhnow and all were evaluating. 

I think they'd really love to have a reason for "Good Martes" to make the roster, because high 90's heat...but since it's a coin flip about whether or not "Bad Martes" would show up.

But McHugh is the logical choice, I think,

[Bench]

I think they'd really love to have a reason for "Good Martes" to make the roster, because high 90's heat...but since it's a coin flip about whether or not "Bad Martes" would show up.

But McHugh is the logical choice, I think,

Good Martes would be ideal, but if he were reliably around he would have already been on the roster. 

[Ebby Calvin]

Morton announced as Gm 3 starter.

[Jacksonian]

Morton announced as Gm 3 starter.

He's earned it.

[Andyzipp]

Little intriguing, but McCullers not likely to be available tonight out of the pen, as reported by Brian T. Smith...

[BlownRanger]

Little intriguing, but McCullers not likely to be available tonight out of the pen, as reported by Brian T. Smith...

He wasn't about to let Strasberg get all the attention.

[AtascAstro]

He wasn't about to let Strasberg get all the attention.

I think this is more Hinch than Lance.  Another tweet says Peacock or McCullers will be the game 4 starter depending on who's needed in first 3 games.  He has to protect one of them as a potential starter.  I read it more as placing higher importance on trying to win games 1 & 2  (thus maybe using Peacock in relief) than preferring Lance to start game 4 outright.

ETA - Every quote I've seen from Lance says he wants to help the team however he can and understands that he hasn't been able to last long enough to be a reliable starter.

[Andyzipp]

I think this is more Hinch than Lance.  Another tweet says Peacock or McCullers will be the game 4 starter depending on who's needed in first 3 games.  He has to protect one of them as a potential starter.  I read it more as placing higher importance on trying to win games 1 & 2 than (thus maybe using Peacock) than preferring Lance to start game 4 outright.

But Peacock IS available tonight...

[AtascAstro]

But Peacock IS available tonight...

Right - which I take to mean that winning early in the series is really important and we are going to have our best options available rather than hold them in reserve for game 4. 

My main point was that I don't think this is about Lance being like Strasburg and making himself unavailable.

[BlownRanger]

Right - which I take to mean that winning early in the series is really important and we are going to have our best options available rather than hold them in reserve for game 4. 

My main point was that I don't think this is about Lance being like Strasburg and making himself unavailable.

My post was just some pre-game humor.

[NeilT]

My post was just some pre-game humor.

There's no humor in playoffs.  This is about the time we start screaming at each other. 

[Andyzipp]

Right - which I take to mean that winning early in the series is really important and we are going to have our best options available rather than hold them in reserve for game 4. 

My main point was that I don't think this is about Lance being like Strasburg and making himself unavailable.

Oh, I don't think he pulled himself from a playoff appearance preemptively. He's only unavailable if he's a) injured or b) potentially going to start a game. 

I think that the possibility that he might start a game in the 2017 playoffs is brand new news.

[BudGirl]

There's no humor in playoffs.  This is about the time we start screaming at each other. 

Excuse me, it is post season.

[Fredia]

and all they are doing in the pregame show is worshiping the yankeess.. almost left the astros out when they said when we come back with the yankees

[NeilT]

Excuse me, it is post season.

See what I mean?


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[Lefty]

Excuse me, it is post season.

"Postseason" is 1 word.

[hostros7]

"Postseason" is 1 word.

No self-respecting grammar nazi would ever not spell out "one" as used above.


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[chuck]

No self-respecting grammar nazi would ever not spell out "one" as used above.

I was thinking that was part of the joke.

[NeilT]

I was thinking that was part of the joke.

There's no jokes in playoffs. 

[Texifornia]

There's no jokes in playoffs.

Somebody has to do it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fjDS0jKiE

[chuck]

There's no jokes in playoffs.

It's not playoffs, it's post-season.

[Reuben]

It's not playoffs, it's post-season.

Theirs no hyphen in postseason.

[chuck]

Theirs no hyphen in postseason.

There's 1 hyphen, Himmler.

[VirtualBob]

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[NeilT]

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

Yes, because just like the play-offs, hyphens aren't funny.

[Texifornia]

My guess is that Hinch will stand pat with the line-up for the NLCWS.

[Navin R Johnson]

Maybin out. Jake in.

[JimR]

Maybin out. Jake in.

I doubt this. He will not be able to be a complete player, and Hinch cannot use a roster spot on sentiment.

[Mr. Happy]

I doubt this. He will not be able to be a complete player, and Hinch cannot use a roster spot on sentiment.

+1

[homer]

Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick, who fractured his right thumb on Sept. 13, won't be healthy enough to be added to the team's World Series roster, manager A.J. Hinch said Monday. Marisnick has been throwing a baseball for about a week, but he hasn't made enough progress health-wise.

http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/259480500/astros-jake-marisnick-not-on-series-roster/

[Astros Fan in Big D]

http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/259480500/astros-jake-marisnick-not-on-series-roster/

Hate that Jake has been sitting this thing out and will miss the WS.

[Randy Watson]

Hate that Jake has been sitting this thing out and will miss the WS.

Same.  His defense alone makes him a difference maker.  And his offense was very good this year.  Would love to play an outfield of Reddick, Marisnick, and Springer.

[JimR]

Same.  His defense alone makes him a difference maker.  And his offense was very good this year.  Would love to play an outfield of Reddick, Marisnick, and Springer.

This is nothing but misty-eyed sentiment. I hate he is missing the Series too because his history with this team, but evenwith his great defense, he is far from a difference maker.

[juliogotay]

There is great stuff in that article including the note about Correa sending his Game 7 jersey to his dad.
Also the Kike Hernandez admires Jim Crane note.

[geezerdonk]

Final blow to a particular horse's corpse - how much stronger would the bench be with Aoki on the playoff roster? Fisher is dugout furniture. He is a last resort warm body if there are multiple injuries.

[juliogotay]

Final blow to a particular horse's corpse - how much stronger would the bench be with Aoki on the playoff roster? Fisher is dugout furniture. He is a last resort warm body if there are multiple injuries.

Aoki has playoff experience and IIRC has performed well with the Giants. Is Fisher on the roster? If so I doubt he will do anything more than pinch-run if opportunity presents.

[Ebby Calvin]

No change in the 25-man from the ALCS.

[toddthebod]

Final blow to a particular horse's corpse - how much stronger would the bench be with Aoki on the playoff roster? Fisher is dugout furniture. He is a last resort warm body if there are multiple injuries.

At Dodger stadium, I would imagine that Fisher gets at least one AB per game as a pinch hitter. 

[LonghornCDR]

Final blow to a particular horse's corpse - how much stronger would the bench be with Aoki on the playoff roster? Fisher is dugout furniture. He is a last resort warm body if there are multiple injuries.

Would love to have Aoki, but I’d rather have Liriano in the pen than Sipp or Guduan.

[JimR]

Would love to have Aoki, but I’d rather have Liriano in the pen than Sipp or Guduan.

He was not necessary for that trade. He was a throw in so Fisher could have LF.

[chuck]

This is nothing but misty-eyed sentiment. I hate he is missing the Series too because his history with this team, but evenwith his great defense, he is far from a difference maker.

With Marisnick in center the Astros win in Boston.

[JimR]

With Marisnick in center the Astros win in Boston.

The Astros won in Boston.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

The Astros won in Boston.

So you're both right?

This is confusing.