#23

Braves projected NLDS roster

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.