The Guardians have one short day to prepare for the Tigers to return to Progressive Field for the wildcard round. Which players should make the playoff roster and what should the lineups look like?
Projected Lineup vs. Tarik Skubal:
- Steven Kwan – LF
- Angel Martinez – CF
- Jose Ramirez – 3B
- Johnathan Rodriguez – DH
- Kyle Manzardo – 1B
- Jhonkensy Noel – RF
- Gabriel Arias – SS
- Austin Hedges – C
- Brayan Rocchio – 2B
Bench: Bo Naylor, C, Daniel Schneemann, IF, George Valera, OF, CJ Kayfus, 1B/OF
Analysis: Is the process correct to simply repeat the same formula that has seen success against Skubal and other LHP for the past week or so? Probably not. But, like it or not, this is the lineup
I expect Stephen Vogt to put out tomorrow morning. Personally, I’d like to see the Guardians pick between Noel or Rodriguez and keep Halpin on the roster as a defensive replacement/pinch-runner, especially after his insanely good at-bat in the 10th inning yesterday. If it were up to me, I would reluctantly leave Big Christmas off the roster because I have more confidence in Rodriguez’s ability to put up quality at-bats. But, with Noel having hit a home run off of Skubal a couple weeks ago (and a tough LHP reliever in game 162) and Rodriguez on fire lately, I think both make the roster. I’d also probably give Halpin the nod over Daniel Schneemann, if the team prefers to have both Noel and Rodriguez. This would leave them a bit thin on the middle infield, but I think it’s doable for 2-3 games. Schneemann had a 91 wRC+ in the first half of this season and a 63 wRC+ in the second half. He still has solid value because he is good at almost any defensive position they ask him to play – but that value is probably better served over 162 than in a short time period where his bat seems to be a liability. So, the above is what I expect the lineup to be, not what I want. (I would also start Bo over Hedges, all respect to Hedgey’s leadership, elite defense and late season hitting heroics).
Projected Lineup vs. (likely starters) Casey Mize and (if necessary) Keidar Montero:
- Kwan – LF
- Valera – RF
- Ramirez – 3B
- Manzardo – DH
- Bo – C
- Kayfus – 1B
- Arias – SS
- Schneemann – CF
- Rocchio – 2B
Analysis: First, let me say that the truly bold move would STILL to be adding Chase DeLauter to the roster (eligible due to injuries, don’t worry about it) and starting him in centerfield, throwing all caution to the wind and going for it. With that fever dream aside, I do think this is the best group of hitters the Guardians can currently field and I feel about as optimistic about them beating a right-handed starter as I can about anything for this group, offensively. With Kayfus at first base, it’s also a great defensive infield (defensively, Schneemann has been good in center and Valera is at least 300 times better than Rodriguez in right).
Pitching:
Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo get the starts for me. I am not opposed to either Slade Cecconi (Detroit has only a 98 wRC+ vs. RHP) or Parker Messick (he’s a bulldog, not worried about his hiccup last week) starting game three, but I do think these three have shown themselves to be the most reliable starters late in the season. I would leave Logan Allen off the roster and go with Cecconi, Messick, Zak Kent, Tim Herrin, Kolby Allard, Matt Festa, Jakob Junis, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith in the bullpen. Herrin was absolutely lights out at the exact moment the Guardians needed him to be in September, but Vogt needs to still beware of using him, especially entering a game with runners on base, because I don’t think he’s fixed his command/control issues. Also, I am a huge Matt Festa fan, but, again, Junis is the better pitcher and should be higher in the circle of trust.
We will have more for you in our actualy series preview but for now, this is what makes sense to me for the playoff roster which will likely be revealed early tomorrow morning.
