OK, just for the sake of argument and debate (isn't that what blogs are really all about?), let's fast-forward one week. It's Monday, Oct. 2, and the Phillies are in the playoffs, getting ready for the NLDS after sewing up the wild card.
Who do you want to see on their postseason roster?
Here are the rules, as explained by Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr.:
* You can pick any combination of 25 players, keeping in mind the Phils likely will keep only 11 pitchers for the best-of-five series.
* To be eligible, a player must have been on the Phillies' 25-man roster or on the disabled list by Aug. 31 (Randall Simon is NOT eligible, Aaron Rowand is).
* A player who was in the Phillies' farm system on Aug. 31 may replace an injured player. But a pitcher has to replace a pitcher, and a position player must replace a position player.
Got it? OK, here's my projected postseason roster, with an explanation below.
PITCHERS (11)
Brett Myers, rh
Cole Hamels, lh
Jon Lieber, rh
Jamie Moyer, lh
Tom Gordon, rh
Geoff Geary, rh
Rick White, rh
Ryan Madson, rh
Randy Wolf, lh
Matt Smith, lh (replacing injured Arthur Rhodes)
Aaron Fultz, lh
In a best-of-five series, you only need four starters. Wolf would be used out of the bullpen, giving the Phils three lefty relievers. That said, they could exclude Fultz, ineffective the past two months, and go with Brian Sanches or Clay Condrey. In the end, though, I think they still trust Fultz more than either of those.
POSITION PLAYERS (14)
Ryan Howard, 1b
Chase Utley, 2b
Jimmy Rollins, ss
Abraham Nunez, 3b
Pat Burrell, lf
Shane Victorino, cf
Jeff Conine, rf
Chris Coste, c
David Dellucci, of
Jose Hernandez, if
Mike Lieberthal, c
Joe Thurston, if
Michael Bourn, of (replacing injured Aaron Rowand)
Carlos Ruiz, c
Why three catchers? It gives Charlie Manuel more flexibility to pinch-hit late in a game without fear of losing his backup catcher. I could've gone with Chris Roberson over Bourn, but it appears the Phillies have slightly more confidence in Bourn right now. Basically, neither would be used as anything but a pinch-runner or late-game defensive replacement for Burrell.
Let's hear from you. Who's on your playoff roster?
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5 comments:
I cant believe it ! You just jinxed the Phils. Now I will re-do the voodoo that you do.
The Phils will not make the playoffs.
voodoo isn't responsible for last night's loss. Just proof that this is still a young team not quite ready for the big stage is all. This will be a learning experience just like those Phils teams in the early 70s.
I agree with your roster but I think that Roberson makes the playoff roster. Not that he is better then bourne but he is Ryan Howard's go to guy for post homerun celebrations, and we need to keep the big guy happy.
Your last two posts detail the playoff schedule and the Phils playoff roster and there are still six regular season games to go. I do not believe in the jinx, but please do not jump the gun on us. It'll be hard enough if we miss this by one to have had to discuss the 4 man postseason rotation a week in advance.
Lets say, for now, that this team will make it there. We swept Washington last year to end the season so it's not out of blue to think that we can't do the same, or at least take 2 of 3.
Lets say, for now, that if the Marlins are out of it by the time the final series comes along, they play too lax and hand the Phils 2 out of 3.
Then lets say, for now, that the Dodgers get swept at home by the rival Giants, essentially handing the WC to Philly.
Lets say, for now, ya gotta believe!
Gotta have Myers in case the other guys have small wives that need to be beaten.
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