UPDATE (9/28 @ 10:34p): So Carlos Martinez is out for the rest of the season, Yadier Molina is now questionable/doubtful for the NLDS and Stephen Piscotty’s prognosis is still forthcoming.
I guess what I’m saying is take all this with a grain of salt if you’re just now reading this.
+++++
As noted earlier in the week, the NL Central title has been wrapped, pretty much.
If the Cardinals finish 5-4, the Pirates have to go 9-0 to tie for divisional title. #STLCards
— Rodney Knuppel (@KnuppelRodney) September 25, 2015
Now we’re just waiting to see if the Cardinals will play the Pirates or the Cubs in the NLDS starting on October 9th in St. Louis.
As the division title becomes official and the season ends on October 4th, the Cardinals will have a few days to finalize their NLDS roster. And there are some very tough choices ahead.
Let’s see if we can’t predict it 2 weeks out…
PITCHING (12)
SP1- John Lackey
SP2- Mike Wacha
SP3- Jaime Garcia
SP4- Lance Lynn
Bullpen
- Trevor Rosenthal
- Seth Maness
- Kevin Siegrist
- Randy Choate
- Steve Cishek
- Jonathan Broxton
- Carlos Martinez
- Matt Belisle
Notes:
1) Lance Lynn? Martinez should be SP… you idiot! I get it. Here’s the problem, though – Martinez is the only SP that could come out of the bullpen in a situation other than long-relief. Lance Lynn will be on the postseason roster (Matheny will go to the mat for him) and you can either have him in the pen ready to go if a start gets away (al la NLDS GM1 2014 vs LAD) or have Martinez in the pen where you can use him in the same situation OR as an electric arm for much shorter appearance.
2) I like Lackey getting the first start and setting the tone for the series. You know he’s not going to get rattled, even if he gives up a couple runs early. He’ll keep the Cardinals in the game. Wacha’s last few games he’s been scored on early.
3) Adam Wainwright is a nice story. Can’t wait to see him in 2016. But I find it hard to believe that the Cardinals aren’t just placating one of their team leaders by telling him he’s got a shot at the postseason roster. He doesn’t.
POSITION (13)
Catchers-
- Yadier Molina
- Tony Cruz
1B- Mark Reynolds
2B- Kolten Wong
3B- Matt Carpenter
SS- Jhonny Peralta
OF-
- Jason Heyward
- Stephen Piscotty
- Matt Holliday
- Tommy Pham
Other-
- Brandon Moss
- Pete Kozma
- Randal Grichuk
Notes:
1) Tommy Pham has been lights out in September and will push Matt Adams off the roster. You have to ride the hot bats into the playoffs. Brandon Moss can play 1B, PH and do some OF work if needed. Adams would just be a LH bat off the bench. Reynolds is the safer play since he’s not an injury risk. (PS – of all the roster spots, Adams could knock Reynolds off if he has a killer last 3 games and is able to show he can run the bases safely…)
2) The KOZ? There has to be a backup to SS and 2B on the roster. The other option is Greg Garcia. Matheny will go with KOZ.
3) There are some names here that will be left off (even if I’m wrong). Jon Jay, Peter Bourjos, Matt Adams – these are not guys that are going to take the news of not being on the postseason roster lightly. Their only solace is that the roster can change from round to round.
Let’s see how I do…
Photo: Box of Old Cards
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
