Predicting the Red Sox ALDS Roster

Picture from The Boston Globe-Extra Bases

First, thank you everyone who has been checking the blog!  The numbers this week have been amazing, and it's inspiring me to keep going on getting the name out.  I really appreciate all the input I've been getting as well.

For this post, I wanted to discuss the Red Sox's ALDS roster.  Manager John Farrell has not announced the ALDS roster yet.  Infield Brock Holt and Right-handed-pitchers Allen Webster, Brayan Villarreal, and Steven Wright were sent home and will not be on the roster.  Other players will also not be on the roster and will either be with the team or sent to Fort Myers to continue working out.

Farrell has indicated he may go with a 10 pitchers rather than 11, as the Red Sox's starting pitching has been strong all season.  Lester and Lackey seem to be set to start Games 1 and 2, and the indication is that Buchholz will go Game 3 and Peavey Game 4.  That would take care of the starting pitching for the ALDS.

Without a doubt, Koji Uehara will be the closer for the Red Sox (was there any other choice?).  Craig Breslow, Franklin Morales, Brandon Workman, and Ryan Dempster are sure to fill up other bullpen spots.  Breslow has been one of the most reliable relievers (besides Uehara) the Red Sox have had this season.  Morales has been good since his return from the disabled list, and Workman seems to be a favorite of Farrell's.  Dempster brings a veteran presence who has can go long, if needed.

I'm guessing that Junichi Tazawa will be the other addition, though I have my doubts about his ability.  It seems like the later the season became, the more unreliable Tazawa became.  Matt Thornton could also take a spot, but neither one is a solid lock.  If the Red Sox decide to go with 11 pitchers, Tazawa and Thornton could both be in, but I'm still thinking they go with 10.

David Ortiz is, of course, the designated hitter for the Red Sox.

For position players, the Red Sox will go with two catchers, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and David Ross.

In my opinion, this has been Salty's best season.  He's been productive both at and behind the plate.  Ross, when playing, has been a great presence behind the plate, especially when throwing out runners.  Unfortunately, this would mean Lavarnway wouldn't be on the roster, but I'm sure he'll be with the team or in Fort Myers, just in case something would come up.

The Red Sox will go with five infields: Mike Napoli, Dustin Pedroia, Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks, and Xander Bogaerts.

The first four would be locks, and Bogaerts would be the questionable one.  I would put Bogaerts on the roster as he's shown pop at the bat, great defensive skills, and he could provide that extra spark down the stretch that the Red Sox would need to move forward.

Lastly, the Red Sox will go with seven outfields: Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino, Daniel Nava, Jonny Gomes, Mike Carp, Jackie Bradley Junior, and Quintin Berry.

I believe the first three outfielders listed will be the starting outfielders.  As much as I enjoy Jonny Gomes, I think Daniel Nava deserves the starting spot.  Surprisingly, Nava has played as many games (134) as Ellsbury this season.  He batted .303 with a .385 OBP and .445 SLG.  By comparison, Ellsbury hit .298 with a .355 OBP and .426 SLG.

Both Gomes and Carp have the potential to be late game-changers, and that'll provide Farrell with more possibilities late in games.  Carp and Nava also have the potential to play first base, if Napoli needs to be spelled.

My guess is that Berry will be used as a Dave Roberts role, to come in and get the steal when needed.  Jackie Bradley Junior will provide another option as a pinch-runner, and he's able to cover a lot of ground on defense.

Those are my predictions, and I'm excited to see which players Farrell will pick for the ALDS.  Red Sox play Game 1 at 3:00 Eastern Time on Friday.



UPDATE: John Farrell announced today that he'll go with 11 pitchers for the ALDS, which means Thornton will probably be in while JBJ is out.