Brian McCann
Freddie Freeman
Dan Uggla
Chipper Jones
Andrelton Simmons
Martin Prado
Michael Bourn
Jason Heyward
David Ross
Reed Johnson
Juan Francisco
Tim Hudson
Kris Medlen
Mike Minor
Paul Maholm
Craig Kimbrel
Eric O’Flaherty
Jonny Venters
Cristhian Martinez
Chad Durbin
Peter Moylan
Luis Avilan
Final two bench spots: Jeff Baker, Paul Janish or Tyler
Pastornicky; Lyle Overbay or Eric Hinske
Final bullpen spot: Cory Gearrin, Tommy Hanson
I’ll bet Gearrin, Pastornicky and Hinske get the last three
spots. In a short series a fifth starter (especially one as inconsistent as
Tommy) is not necessary. Assuming Hinske gets one as a masher off the bench, As
of right now it’s a coin flip between Baker, The Rev, and Janish, but Prado’s
surprisingly good play at short may erase the necessity for a good glove there,
making Janish less vital.
One game playoff scenario
The one game playoff provides a unique opportunity for
roster management. The game will be treated as its own round of playoffs, and
as such, teams can create a roster for one game only, with no repercussions on
the division series or end of regular season. The one main change would be in
starting pitching. You’re only going to use one starting pitcher in a game, why
waste 3 or 4 roster spots on guys who won’t pitch and can’t hit enough to
justify a bench spot?
Hanson and Maholm are definitely removed from the mix, maybe
Minor too. Guessing the Braves will bring a second fully rested starter in to
the one game playoff in case the scheduled starter gets hurt, a rain delay
messes things up, or something along those lines. What will be interesting is
if the Braves would bring a third starter in to the game for long relief
purposes. Minor could have some value facing lefties if things got crazy. My
guess is that Boscan would take one of the one day roster spots so that Ross
could pinch hit if need be. Gearrin would probably take the other with another bench player possible.
