The 25-man playoff roster

[Astro1959]

I think this is still a thing. Granted, it may only be for one game, but I think it speaks to Astro longer term plans.

C  (2) Castro/Conger
1b (1) Carter
2b (1) Valbuena
ss (1) Correa
3b (2) Valbuena/Lowrie
UT (1) Gonzales
DH (1) Gattis
OF (4) Springer, Rasmus, Mrasnick, Gomez

SP (5) Kuechel, McHugh, McCullers, Fiers, Kazmir
RP (7) Gregerson, Harris, Sipp, Neshek, Qualls, Perez, Thatcher

If Gomez can't go, then Tucker picks up his spot.
Can't find a role for Velasquez, but he might be there in front of Thatcher.

I think the Astros are committed to Carter's hot streak and will ride him out at 1B.  I would expect Gonzales to get the start in LF against the Yankees provided his hand his well enough to be able to swing the bat against Tanaka. If not, assuming Gomez is still not ready, Mrasnick will hit in the 9 hole.

Not sure who earns the start at 3B. Jed isn't hitting much right now and comes off a multi-K game. Valbuena has that HR potential, which Lowrie has 5 playoff experiences to draw from.

It's not an easy roster to make out, nor an obvious line-up card, but this how I think we stack up against the Yankees on Monday.

2b Altuve
RF Springer
SS Correa
DH Gattis
CF Rasmus
3b Valbuena
1b Carter
C Castro
LF Mrasnick
P Keuchel

[doyce7]

With Marwin not being able to swing the bat left handed I can't see him starting against the yanks. I wouldn't be surprised if tucker is in left although I'm not sure who you take off, probably one of the starters, maybe mccullers. If I'm not mistaken you can change the roster between the Yankee game and the potential division series, so you won't need most of the starters.

[Jacksonian]

I think this is still a thing. Granted, it may only be for one game, but I think it speaks to Astro longer term plans.

C  (2) Castro/Conger
1b (1) Carter
2b (1) Valbuena
ss (1) Correa
3b (2) Valbuena/Lowrie
UT (1) Gonzales
DH (1) Gattis
OF (4) Springer, Rasmus, Mrasnick, Gomez

SP (5) Kuechel, McHugh, McCullers, Fiers, Kazmir
RP (7) Gregerson, Harris, Sipp, Neshek, Qualls, Perez, Thatcher

If Gomez can't go, then Tucker picks up his spot.
Can't find a role for Velasquez, but he might be there in front of Thatcher.

I think the Astros are committed to Carter's hot streak and will ride him out at 1B.  I would expect Gonzales to get the start in LF against the Yankees provided his hand his well enough to be able to swing the bat against Tanaka. If not, assuming Gomez is still not ready, Mrasnick will hit in the 9 hole.

Not sure who earns the start at 3B. Jed isn't hitting much right now and comes off a multi-K game. Valbuena has that HR potential, which Lowrie has 5 playoff experiences to draw from.

It's not an easy roster to make out, nor an obvious line-up card, but this how I think we stack up against the Yankees on Monday.

2b Altuve
RF Springer
SS Correa
DH Gattis
CF Rasmus
3b Valbuena
1b Carter
C Castro
LF Mrasnick
P Keuchel

Valbuena is not good enough to be counted twice.

[doyce7]

Valbuena is not good enough to be counted twice.

Especially in place of Altuve

[JimR]

I think this is still a thing. Granted, it may only be for one game, but I think it speaks to Astro longer term plans.

C  (2) Castro/Conger
1b (1) Carter
2b (1) Valbuena
ss (1) Correa
3b (2) Valbuena/Lowrie
UT (1) Gonzales
DH (1) Gattis
OF (4) Springer, Rasmus, Mrasnick, Gomez

SP (5) Kuechel, McHugh, McCullers, Fiers, Kazmir
RP (7) Gregerson, Harris, Sipp, Neshek, Qualls, Perez, Thatcher

If Gomez can't go, then Tucker picks up his spot.
Can't find a role for Velasquez, but he might be there in front of Thatcher.

I think the Astros are committed to Carter's hot streak and will ride him out at 1B.  I would expect Gonzales to get the start in LF against the Yankees provided his hand his well enough to be able to swing the bat against Tanaka. If not, assuming Gomez is still not ready, Mrasnick will hit in the 9 hole.

Not sure who earns the start at 3B. Jed isn't hitting much right now and comes off a multi-K game. Valbuena has that HR potential, which Lowrie has 5 playoff experiences to draw from.

It's not an easy roster to make out, nor an obvious line-up card, but this how I think we stack up against the Yankees on Monday.

2b Altuve
RF Springer
SS Correa
DH Gattis
CF Rasmus
3b Valbuena
1b Carter
C Castro
LF Mrasnick
P Keuchel

Please go the fuck away.

[HudsonHawk]

If I'm not mistaken you can change the roster between the Yankee game and the potential division series, so you won't need most of the starters.

MLB was considering changing the wild card roster rules to prevent this. I don't know if they did or not though.

[doyce7]

MLB was considering changing the wild card roster rules to prevent this. I don't know if they did or not though.

I haven't been able to find out wild card roster rules for this season. Only seen articles from 2012 so far but I bet there will be some later tonight or tomorrow morning.

[NeilT]

I guess by future plans, you mean plans beyond the next game?  From what HH says, they may have to carry the same roster into the ALDS, but after that the roster can change?  I probably knew the answer to that once.

[loganck]

I think Luhnow was saying during the pregame interview that they'd be able to change after the WC  game.  It's possible I misheard and he was just saying they'd be able to figure it out after the potential Monday game, though.

[NeilT]

Here's an interesting article on the Yankees wild card lineup possibilities.  Being New York, the press has thought this through pretty thoroughly.  No more than 3 starters, they say.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2015/10/how_will_yankee_choose_roster_for_1-game_playoff_g.html

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Here's an interesting article on the Yankees wild card lineup possibilities.  Being New York, the press has thought this through pretty thoroughly.  No more than 3 starters, they say.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2015/10/how_will_yankee_choose_roster_for_1-game_playoff_g.html

According to that article.

"Because the Wild Card is considered by Major League Baseball its own playoff round, the Yankees and their opponent will be able to construct a roster for that game only, one that's not beholden to the Division Series, meaning it can change by the next round."

[NeilT]

According to that article.

"Because the Wild Card is considered by Major League Baseball its own playoff round, the Yankees and their opponent will be able to construct a roster for that game only, one that's not beholden to the Division Series, meaning it can change by the next round."

I don't know about anyone else, but if they take three starters, it includes VV for the WC.  I wouldn't think McCullers would be available anyway.  McHugh maybe.

[BizidyDizidy]

Keuchel, Fiers, Kazmir, VV?

[BudGirl]

Please go the fuck away.

Why this??  He seems to be as excited as everyone about this team.  And it seems like the next thing you all will dissect to death until Tuesday.

[MusicMan]

Please go the fuck away.

Jim, that was kind of uncalled for.

[ValpoCory]

Here are the Astros stats vs. Tanaka. Small sample, and it almost is all from a road game for Tanaka, but still, nice.

I think we'll see something like (OPS vs. Tanaka):

1. Altuve 2B (1.667)
2. Springer RF (2.000)
3. Correa SS (2.333)
4. Gattis DH (0.000)
5. Gomez CF (2.500)
6. Rasmus LF (0.000)
7. Carter 1B (4.000)
8. Valbuena 3B (0.889)
9. Castro C (0.000)

[Houston]

Jim, that was kind of uncalled for.

He was hacked by Donald Trump.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Sabathia won't be around.  It must be pretty bad if he's checking himself in at this point in their season.

[MusicMan]

Sabathia won't be around.  It must be pretty bad if he's checking himself in at this point in their season.

If you finally admit you have a problem, you go immediately. Good for him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JimR]

Why this??  He seems to be as excited as everyone about this team.  And it seems like the next thing you all will dissect to death until Tuesday.

whatever.

[JimR]

Jim, that was kind of uncalled for.

fine. I will put myself in time out. I have an explanation, but fuck it. y'all feel differently.

[BudGirl]

fine. I will put myself in time out. I have an explanation, but fuck it. y'all feel differently.

whatever.

[homer]

AL Wild Card position-by-position: Astros-Yanks

Castro has been serviceable for the Astros and probably gets the defensive edge over McCann.

[NeilT]

fine. I will put myself in time out. I have an explanation, but fuck it. y'all feel differently.

Well clearly that kid was on your grass.

[JimR]

Well clearly that kid was on your grass.

clever.

[NeilT]

AL Wild Card position-by-position: Astros-Yanks

Castro has been serviceable for the Astros and probably gets the defensive edge over McCann.

The biggest surprise was 1st base.  I'm supporting Carter's hot streak.

[Bench]

The biggest surprise was 1st base.  I'm supporting Carter's hot streak.

Also the author clearly wasn't tuned into Chris Young's utter dominance of the Astros.

[David in Jackson]

Battle of bullpens: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-al-wild-card-game-should-be-a-bullpen-affair/

[homer]

Battle of bullpens: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-al-wild-card-game-should-be-a-bullpen-affair/

Add in some performance degradation for Keuchel pitching on three days rest, and he doesn’t have a clear advantage over most of the Astros bullpen tomorrow,

whatever

[NeilT]

Add in some performance degradation for Keuchel pitching on three days rest, and he doesn’t have a clear advantage over most of the Astros bullpen tomorrow,

whatever

I think I'd be ill if they decided to take a run through the bullpen.  I guess I'd take that over Kazmir, but probably not Fiers.

[chuck]

I guess they don't realize that tomorrow the bullpen will not be Qualls and Neshek, it will be Fiers and Velasquez.

[NeilT]

you think Neshek isn't on the roster?

[chuck]

not what i meant

[NeilT]

not what i meant

Just that they won't be going to Neshek in that game. 

[Uncle Charlie]

If you finally admit you have a problem, you go immediately. Good for him.

3 weeks ago last Saturday I spent the afternoon and evening with a good friend of mine who was choosing to do the same thing.  It was inconvenient timing for both of us, but it's ranks as some of the best 6 hours in each of our lives.  He's doing well thus far; I will add CC to the prayers I say for my friend every day.

[ValpoCory]

Battle of bullpens: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-al-wild-card-game-should-be-a-bullpen-affair/

"Chad Qualls, and Pat Neshek were used very lightly on Sunday, and should be ready to pitch multiple innings if need be. "

chuck sort of mentioned it, but hell to the no on this happening.

[geezerdonk]

Used very lightly? Not by the Arizona batters.

[JimR]

3 weeks ago last Saturday I spent the afternoon and evening with a good friend of mine who was choosing to do the same thing.  It was inconvenient timing for both of us, but it's ranks as some of the best 6 hours in each of our lives.  He's doing well thus far; I will add CC to the prayers I say for my friend every day.

My daughter, as many know, went in patient rehab for drugs. It turned her life around.

[Mr. Happy]

My daughter, as many know, went in patient rehab for drugs. It turned her life around.

Turned my life around too, It works when you're ready to try something different. If I used today, I'd probably break out in handcuffs.

[geezerdonk]

Is the 25 man roster going to be published or are they just going to hand it in with the lineup card?

[MusicMan]

The roster is official:

Pitchers
Fields
Fiers
Gregerson
Harris
Keuchel
Neshek
Perez
Qualls
Sipp

Catchers
Castro
Conger

Infield
Altuve
Carter
Correa
Duffy
Gonzalez
Lowrie
Valbuena
Villar

Outfield
Gattis
Gomez
Marisnick
Rasmus
Springer
Tucker

[NeilT]

That's hilarious.  We don't need no stinkin' starters.

[HudsonHawk]

That's hilarious.  We don't need no stinkin' starters.

Well, you got Keuchel to start and Fiers as the long man should things go to shit. 

[Reuben]

The inclusion of Duffy is mildly surprising to me, as is the exclusion of Stassi.

[geezerdonk]

Is Velasquez hurt?

As bad as Kazmir has been, he might be good for a batter or two or even an inning.

I thought that Goldschmidt's rocket on Sunday was Qualls' valediction.

[BizidyDizidy]

A bit surprised. No VV? Under what circumstance are you going to bring in Neshek to this game?

[JimR]

A bit surprised. No VV? Under what circumstance are you going to bring in Neshek to this game?

did you watch McCullers Sunday? this is not a game for a rookie.

[Uncle Charlie]

A bit surprised. No VV? Under what circumstance are you going to bring in Neshek to this game?

If you get into the same situation as Keuchel's last start.

[NeilT]

The inclusion of Duffy is mildly surprising to me, as is the exclusion of Stassi.

That didn't surprise me.  I figure Conger's there as a pinch hitter, and not necessarily for Castro.

[juliogotay]

Is Velasquez hurt?

As bad as Kazmir has been, he might be good for a batter or two or even an inning.

I thought that Goldschmidt's rocket on Sunday was Qualls' valediction.

If VV is needed it probably doesn't matter what the rest of the roster is.

[Reuben]

That didn't surprise me.  I figure Conger's there as a pinch hitter, and not necessarily for Castro.

? Without Stassi, Conger is your only option to catch if they do PH for Castro (say, with Lowrie or Marwin). And I heard NYY out a base-stealing specialist on their roster, to go along with Ellsbury and Gardiner.

[NeilT]

? Without Stassi, Conger is your only option to catch if they do PH for Castro (say, with Lowrie or Marwin). And I heard NYY out a base-stealing specialist on their roster, to go along with Ellsbury and Gardiner.

WHAT ABOUT GATTIS!!!!  I don't like any situation I can think of where they pull Castro for Conger.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

That didn't surprise me.  I figure Conger's there as a pinch hitter, and not necessarily for Castro.

Who is the backup backup catcher?

[Reuben]

Who is the backup backup catcher?

Gattis, but of course I highly doubt they want him to make his Astros catching debut in a do-or-die playoff game.

[juliogotay]

I agree that is a strange move. Seems like having him rather than Villar or Duffy would make more sense but they've done ok without my input so far.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The Yankees Wild Card Roster:

PITCHERS (9)
Dellin Betances
Andrew Miller
Bryan Mitchell
Ivan Nova
James Pazos
Luis Severino
Masahiro Tanaka
Adam Warren
Justin Wilson

CATCHERS (3)
Brian McCann
John Ryan Murphy
Gary Sanchez

INFIELDERS (7)
Dustin Ackley
Greg Bird
Didi Gregorius
Chase Headley
Rob Refsnyder
Alex Rodriguez
Brendan Ryan

OUTFIELDERS (6)
Carlos Beltran
Jacoby Ellsbury
Brett Gardner
Slade Heathcott
Rico Noel
Chris Young

[doyce7]

I agree that is a strange move. Seems like having him rather than Villar or Duffy would make more sense but they've done ok without my input so far.

I'm no fan of villar and his mental lapses but his skillset is very valuable come playoff time. He's got speed, can play a few positions, and swings a decent switch hitting bat. I agree with you on Duffy, I just hope that Conger doesn't see the field, at least defensively.

[JimR]

I'm no fan of villar and his mental lapses but his skillset is very valuable come playoff time. He's got speed, can play a few positions, and swings a decent switch hitting bat. I agree with you on Duffy, I just hope that Conger doesn't see the field, at least defensively.

Villar has done a great job since he came back up.

[WakePhil]

I'm no fan of villar and his mental lapses but his skillset is very valuable come playoff time. He's got speed, can play a few positions, and swings a decent switch hitting bat. I agree with you on Duffy, I just hope that Conger doesn't see the field, at least defensively.

Crawfish Boxes had an interesting post on this in the morning. Looking at Win Probability Added contributions during the season Villar kept showing up near the tops of lists.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/10/6/9454857/tuesdays-three-astros-things

[NeilT]

Crawfish Boxes had an interesting post on this in the morning. Looking at Win Probability Added contributions during the season Villar kept showing up near the tops of lists.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2015/10/6/9454857/tuesdays-three-astros-things

I bet the 'Stros didn't run the numbers.

[doyce7]

Villar has done a great job since he came back up.

I agree. In fact, if this game is a win, I'd have him on my ALDS roster as well.

[NeilT]

I really didn't expect to see Gomez in the lineup. 

[juliogotay]

I agree. In fact, if this game is a win, I'd have him on my ALDS roster as well.

I agree Villar has done well. But there is a similar player, but better, already on the roster. Marwin. If Castro goes out I bet you're not going to say
"thank god Villar is on this roster".  I also know they have good reasons for every single guy on that 25 so I will defer to their judgement.

[doyce7]

I agree Villar has done well. But there is a similar player, but better, already on the roster. Marwin. If Castro goes out I bet you're not going to say
"thank god Villar is on this roster".  I also know they have good reasons for every single guy on that 25 so I will defer to their judgement.

I love Marwin and what he brings but if he can't hit left handed, it severely limits his impact.

[das]

I really didn't expect to see Gomez in the lineup.

I did. Big time player in a big time game. He'll be yanked pronto if he shows any signs of the discomfort affecting his play.

[JimR]

I did. Big time player in a big time game. He'll be yanked pronto if he shows any signs of the discomfort affecting his play.

Me, too. Hinch likes him a lot. His being back tonight was announced a day or two ago.

[BizidyDizidy]

So what do you do for rotation for KC?

McHugh, McCullers, Keuchel, McHugh, Keuchel? Or do you give Kazmir or Fiers a go?

[austro]

So what do you do for rotation for KC?

McHugh, McCullers, Keuchel, McHugh, Keuchel? Or do you give Kazmir or Fiers a go?

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I have no problem a Fiers start. He's been quite dependable. I imagine it will depend to some extent on how the first two games shake out. But if they split in KC, I could see going with Fiers in game 3 and Keuchel in game 4. I don't think that Kazmir has shown enough to merit a start.

[BizidyDizidy]

I think you have to start Keuchel game 3 to set him up for 2 starts?

[Reuben]

I think you have to start Keuchel game 3 to set him up for 2 starts?

ALDS is a best-of-5; no way he'd start Game 3 and then Game 5. That said, no reason Keuchel shouldn't start Game 3; it'll be Sunday and he'll have 4 days' rest.

[doyce7]

For me it's, mchugh-fiers-keuchel-mccullers then who knows, probably mchugh again but maybe fiers if he pitches great in game 2

[BizidyDizidy]

Yeah I dont know what the fuck kind of math I was doing there.... But I think you'd want him to go in game 3 to be on regular rest for game one of potential ALCS

[HudsonHawk]

Yeah I dont know what the fuck kind of math I was doing there.... But I think you'd want him to go in game 3 to be on regular rest for game one of potential ALCS

You don't think about the ALCS right now. 

[BizidyDizidy]

But might as well, given I can't think of any other reason not to pitch him in game 3.

[BizidyDizidy]

Not surprisingly, McHugh gets the rock first.

http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/10/06/astros-starter-collin-mchugh-brings-his-19-wins-to-kansas-city-to-open-alds/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[ValpoCory]

Yep.  McHugh in Game 1 and 5 if necessary and Keuchel in Game 3.     Who knows for Games 2 and 4.     McCullers gets one them though.

If it's not Kazmir in Game 2, then Kazmir likely won't be on the ALDS roster.  Kazmir went 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA over 14.1 IP in two starts in KC this year.  But those starts seem like a year ago though.

[jbm]

Have the Astros announced their roster for the ALDS?

[doyce7]

Have the Astros announced their roster for the ALDS?

Should be announced shortly. Had to turned in to MLB by 9 am I believe.