Beginning tonight I will start a weekly feature where I give previews and predictions for my beloved Cubs as they make their push into the postseason. You can check back every Wednesday for updates!
This week I predict what I think the Cubs’ postseason roster will be.
25 players will make the final cut for the postseason roster. After all of the September call ups the active roster currently consists of 33 players, 16 of those are pitchers. So, 8 players will need to cut before the Cubs open up the playoffs at Wrigley next Wednesday.
Let’s start with the pitchers. I predict they’ll take 11 pitchers. Usually most teams don’t take 12 into the postseason, especially in the NL where bench players are needed late in games.
So, here you go. We’ll start with the obvious ones:
1. Dempster
2. Harden
3. Zambrano
4. Lilly
5. Marmol
6. Wood
7. Marshall---Lou said last night he would be on the roster
No, we’re done to the final 4 spots:
8. Cotts---need another lefty besides Marshall
9. Samardzija---has been a boost to the pen late in the year
10. Marquis---I think his start in New York this week gave him his spot.
11. Howry---Has struggled lately, but I think Lou likes that he’s a veteran and has
pitched in big games.
So, here’s who is left out:
Gaudin---certainly the toughest to leave off. He struggled in his first appearance after his injury, and the injury concerns may leave him off the roster.
Hart, Guzman, Wuertz, and Wells
Now, for the position players:
In For Sure:
12. Soto
13. Blanco
14. Cedeno
15. DeRosa
16. Fontenot
17. Lee
18. Ramirez
19. Theriot
20. Edmonds
21. Fukudome
22. Johnson
23. Soriano
Now, done to the final 2:
24. Hoffpauir
25. Pie---He makes the cut because of his speed and defensive abilities. There is no reason to take Hoffpauir and Ward who are basically the same player.
Left Out:
Ward---This was my toughest choice of all. He could easily take Hoffpauir’s spot because of his veteran leadership.
Hill and McGehee
Let me know what you think!
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2 comments:
ASSIGNMENT - Which Cubs starting pitcher has the best chance of becoming a star during the playoffs, similar to Josh Beckett several years back with the Marlins and John Smoltz a decade ago in Atlanta? Zambrano, Dempster or Harden? And why?
I really don't understand why Lou keeps sticking with Howry. I understand the whole veteran quality, but the guy scares me more than Marmol or Wood on their wild days. All season long I've wanted the team to give him the axe. I know there are concerns about Gaudin's injury situation, but he was relatively solid in the pen since the Cubs got him. Let's just see how he does against the Brewers before leaving him off the postseason roster.
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