Two Fringe Players for Twins Must Take to the Postseason

[High heat]

Yes to Stevenson assuming Buxton is completely out.  
 

No to Ober because he won’t be need in relief and as many have said a 4th starter is needed to start divisional series if wild card series goes 3 games and I would want Ober as that starter. 

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, rv78 said:

I agree. It'll be over in 2 games. See ya next year.

G'bye. 

[GNess]

26 assuming Stewart and Paddack pitch in a MLB game or two before season concludes. And Buxton, Correa and Lewis are all good to go.)

PITCHERS (11)

Gray, Lopez, Maeda, Ryan, Duran, Jax, Stewart, Paddack, Theilbar, Pagan, Funderburk

POSITION PLAYERS (15)

Kirilloff, Julien, Correa, Lewis, Polanco, Farmer, Castro, Wallner, Taylor, Kepler, Stephenson, Buxton, Jeffers, Vasquez, Solano

GM 1 Gray GM 2 Lopez GM 3 Maeda (If needed) Ryan available if a SP falters early in a game.

[Karbo]

19 hours ago, GusGus11 said:

Yeah TBH I think I leave Ober off the WC roster. For two reasons

1. He isnt used to high leverage relief so not really a big asset there

2. He is imo the clear cut option to start game 1 of ALDS should we use 3 guys in WC. 

I agree so far. However, knowing the Twins, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they would start Maeda in game 1 due to his experience. Of course that depends on how many games they win in round 1 and how Maeda and Ober pitch over the next few days. That said, Ober still seems like the pick for me so Maeda can do some relief work.

[Karbo]

19 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

A potential blowout is actually why I include Ober.

In the playoffs, the hook on starters gets shorter. If Lopez or Gray were to give up four runs in 2.2 innings, for example, you almost have to get Stewart in to put out the fire and then try to get 3-4 innings from someone like Ober to get back on track for the next day's game.

Yeah, I know, Varland, but what if he's getting hit as well? Or what if he goes two innings in the Game 1 win and isn't available in the fourth inning of Game 2?

I don't know what the pecking order is, but whatever it is, I think you drop the No. 4 starter from the Wild Card roster so that he can start Game 1 of the next round, and you have the No. 5 guy on the roster for blowout circumstances.

Remember as well that the Manfred Man rules disappear in the playoffs, so there's a much greater likelihood of a long extra-inning game where that No. 5 starter comes in handy. 

IMO Maeda and Varland will be those guys to pick up middle innings. But yes Ober would be helpful in those situations also. Question is how many guys in the pen are they going to carry?

[Karbo]

17 hours ago, SoDakTwinsFan4 said:

Jax?

IMO more middle or setup, not really top. Seems to have worn down a bit lately.

[GusGus11]

14 minutes ago, Karbo said:

I agree so far. However, knowing the Twins, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they would start Maeda in game 1 due to his experience. Of course that depends on how many games they win in round 1 and how Maeda and Ober pitch over the next few days. That said, Ober still seems like the pick for me so Maeda can do some relief work.

Oh Maeda definitely could start

I just find it likely that unless the WC round goes PERFECTLY, that Maeda gets some solid work in that round and isnt available for a full game 1 start.

Assuming Ryan is the 3rd starter. Maeda is basically a lock to be the one used if any of the WC round starts are short. And I think in Ryans case it would be an extremely quick hook too.

[saviking]

21 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I agree, I don't see Ober on the roster for round one. Joey Gallo? Absolutely. 

Did you see Gallo is rehabbing in St Paul already 🤐

[John Belinski]

On 9/19/2023 at 1:04 PM, Mike Sixel said:

I agree, I don't see Ober on the roster for round one. Joey Gallo? Absolutely. 

No way we want Gallo on roster. We do not need someone to strike out.

[Rosterman]

Sadly for all the Stevenson love, and I am glad the Twins gave him a shot, when they have to add guys back onto the 40-man, he is one of three that are on the bubble, the other two being Floro and Keuchel. All of whom don't fit into long-term Twins plans, sadly.

You want speed? Both Castro and Taylor fulfill that role. The next biog question is who plays centerfield, how valuable is it that Gallo could, and what is the status of getting Gordon on the roster.

Lopez and Gray are locks. Who is #3? Maeda perhaps. WHo could best work out of the pen? Would Ober fall into that category with Varland for 2-3 innings. In a 3-game first series, who starts Round 2 - would that be Ryan or Ober?

The Twins could have the luxury of having 3 (or even 4) lefty arms in the bullpen if they see fit. Just don't push multi-innings out of Keuchel or Headrick if they make the cut.

[JD-TWINS]

Julien - Polanco - Lewis - Kirilloff - Solano - CC - Farmer - Taylor - Castro - Kepler - Wallner - Stevenson - Vazquez - Jeffers - Buxton (15)

Lopez - Gray - Maeda (non-roster Ober)

Varland - Ryan - Funderburk - Jax - Pagan - Thielbar - Duran - (either Stewart or Kuechel)(11)

………………….

Paddack Gordon Alcala are all guys we need to wait on until 2024.

[TCSquad]

Anyone else old enough to remember 1987, and how we thankful that our 2023 Game 3 starter options are Ober, Ryan, and Maeda, and NOT Les Straker and Joe Niekro?

In any case: Ryan starts Game 3; with Maeda close by should Ryan's short-leash require reeling in.