Paul Sullivan is suggesting that Jason Marquis may not make the NLDS roster, after Marquis was shelled by the Reds on Sunday after coming on in relief of Ted Lilly. Sullivan also suggests that Ryan Dempster, who was rocked by the Reds, who has been terrible in September, and who is the favorite whipping boy of HJE, may not be the closer in the postseason. Who is on your postseason roster? The guys I’d bring to the NLDS are below:
Starters:
C Soto (though Lou will probably start Kendall)
1B Lee
2B DeRosa
3B Ramirez
SS Theriot
LF Soriano
CF Jones
RF Floyd
Bench:
Kendall
Ward (if he’s healthy)
Cedeno (I hate to bring him, but there’s no other option to back up Theriot at SS)
Murton
Fontenot
Pie
Rotation:
Zambrano
Lilly
Hill
Marshall (only if you need him, but otherwise go with a 3-man rotation)
Bullpen:
Marmol
Hart
Howry
Wood
Dempster
Eyre
Wuertz
Marmol should close.
No, Howry close and Marmol in the ‘bullpen ace’ mold. Pitches in the most crucial spot of the game in the 6th, 7th, or 8th.
I agree. Howry should close. He has experience and has been $$ down the stretch. Marmol has done well coming into tight situation in the 5th thru the 8th.
I agree with Kermit on leaving Marquis off. He is the starter most likely to get us behind by too much, too early.
BK, I cannot disagree with you one bit. This seems to be the same roster that I had in mind.
I do sure hope that Soriano makes the roster…
Its going to be a long, cold winter for Marquis if he is left off the playoff roster.
Forced to choose between Marquis and Marshall, I hold my breath, cross my fingers, and go with Marquis. Then I have Hart and Woody warming up before game time as if they were each going to go 2 innings. Then I hope like hell the Cubs post some crooked runs the first three innings. If all that fails, I blame The Billygoat Curse.
If any one should close over Dempster it’s Wood. He’s continuing to get better, and he’s the only guy who can take some else’s job without there being fallout in the clubhouse. He’s throwing the ball fantastic and he’s got the stones to close. I’d love to see him start a do or die game with the idea that “this is it.” Give him the ball and a life contract with the club. What ever happens, happens. For good measure, bat him sixth too.
Crazy thing is that you can almost imagine Lou either making him the closer or giving him a start.
“and on the 7th day, the west divided in elemental warfare: earth will triumph over water…penitent shall be those of ill temperance, who relinquished the pledge..” (20:7)
Hard to disagree, but I’m not convinced Marquis will get left off, though Marshall did look better yesterday than Marquis did today. Dempster… well, history has shown us that you’re fine as long as you NEVER put him in in a non-save situation; his ERA notwithstanding, he does only have 3 blown saves all year.
The Apocolypse of John is a huge downer, I don’t know what he’s saying… But I know it’s emoish.
Got to bring back big Z on short rest. Then I could get 2 starts if it goes 5 games. I would be pitching game 5 on regular rest.
Sota HAS to start. Kendall should be a back up. Kendall has no stick & no arm! D-Backs will be running all day on him.
I don’t see how Soto doesn’t start. He brings more to the table as a starter than Kendall, esp power wise and the ability to contain the running game. He manages the pitchers just fine and has been money down the stretch. October is not the time to go with a new closer – Pinella will stick with his man, but he knows not to put him in unless it’s a save situation in a game that matters. Otherwise, i agree with BK on the roster
Vapor, I hope Lou feels the same way you do about Soto. I like Kendall, but Soto is better in every aspect of the game (except baserunning).
Christ, I just looked up Dempster’s splits. He has a 6.19 ERA in the 2nd half. A 10.66 ERA in the past month.
Howry in the 2nd half has a 1.85 ERA. In the past month, he has a 1.93 ERA.
Pull the trigger, Lou. I know I’ve been telling everyone that Dempster is dogshit since day one, but there are the definitive stats to prove it. This guy CAN’T be the closer in the postseason. Don’t give me that “save situation vs. non-save situation” argument. He’s crap.
I would trust Kendall with a hit-and-run more than Soto (better contact hitter, I believe)… But almost everything else goes to Soto.
Soto and HOwry in the playoffs-Soto for starting catcher next year, Marmol as closer next year. That kid’s arm is just sick. He could go on to be the next K-Rod.
The apocolypse of john appears to be a rockies fan.
What about me????