Projecting the Twins’ Playoff Rotation

Once we get past Cleveland we can start dreaming.

Ray the game 3 starter, Kenta to the BP.  He has experience there, and was dominant in the BP during postseason for the Dodgers

All depends on how the days off work:

Lopez, Gray, Maeda might be enough.  If not, Whichever of the Ober/Ryan/Keuchel they think is pitching the best and will give them the best chance to win.  The other two should theoretically end up in the pen bumping Sand and Floro.

We could have a quite a bit of depth in the bullpen if move 1-2 starters, I think Ober could perform quite well out of the pen.  Possibly doing 2 inning if needed.  

If Ryan can return to his first half level I think Maeda to the bullpen makes the most sense.  He's the only one with experience out there....and postseason experience at that.  Gray is likely a five-and-fly playoff starter so maybe Maeda makes a good piggyback for him.

12 minutes ago, HerbieFan said:

If Ryan can return to his first half level I think Maeda to the bullpen makes the most sense.  He's the only one with experience out there....and postseason experience at that.  Gray is likely a five-and-fly playoff starter so maybe Maeda makes a good piggyback for him.

I like this idea as well as using Keuchel the same way. He did a great job coming in for Ober on Sunday in that role.

Alittle early to be even speculating ,  with the possibility of injuries and the work load of some tiring  , the first trio  should be Lopez,  gray and maeda , if we get past that  then the next series should be Lopez,  gray , Ryan and not sure , but maeda should move to the bullpen  for the second round if we make it that far ...

There is still a 5 percent chance we don't even make the playoffs  , Twins need to tweak some area of weaknesses that are quite obvious  to us fans ,  but the plan of FO and Rocco might think differently ,,, 

Get hot and go on a winning streak would solve the problem  for a runaway division , I don't want to back into the playoffs , I want to see them earn it ....

Unless Ober gets a "reset" stint on the IL, I think Ryan moves into the playoff rotation, Ober has looked more than shaky lately and Ryan looked good on Saturday. 

I have not projected starts to the end of the season so I don't know who might wind up where, but if the team can clinch early enough, they can start aligning the rotation. Right now 1-5 looks like Maeda, Lopez, Gray, Ryan, and Ober. Unless Maeda is #5 right now, then he is going to have start being moved up to #3.

I fully agree 1 thru 3.  However, I think Ryan can regain some form and be better than Ober.  Now if Ryan does not return to form and continues to give up long balls like he is pitching BP then I would do Ober. 

My prediction of starting rotation:

1.  Lopez

2.  Gray

3.  Ryan

4.  Maeda/Ober (not sure which one pitches, but other will be available for long/piggy back innings)

I believe Keuchel will be in the pen as he might be valuable as a situational lefty over Moran/Headrick.

1 hour ago, HerbieFan said:

If Ryan can return to his first half level I think Maeda to the bullpen makes the most sense.  He's the only one with experience out there....and postseason experience at that.  Gray is likely a five-and-fly playoff starter so maybe Maeda makes a good piggyback for him.

Exactly.   Plus if you have Maeda in the BP and not used,  He can be Game 1 starter if you win the series, depending on days off built into the schedule. Then you have Ober or Kuechel as a piggy back available.

Lopez, Gray, and Ryan are your three starters. You don't need more than that. Maeda for Ryan, if Ryan reverts to giving up bunches of homers. No way do I give Ober a start, based on his recent outings. Looks like he hit the wall and needs a rest. 

I‘m not confident in Ryan/Ober because they’re immensely talented but can be feast or famine especially with regards to home runs. I can already imagine them giving up 3 run homerun/Grand slam when we have the lead and the game is on the line. 

I would feel comfortable with either Lopez or Gray starting the first game. But after that, it's a roll of the dice. I would have penciled in Maeda for the next spot, but he didn't look so sharp in yesterday's game, but hey, that's just one game and he's been very good for the most month or so. I wouldn't rely on Ober at this point, so I'd stick with Ryan, and just maybe, depending on how he looks for the next month, you might consider Keuchel. He's got the playoff experience that might make the difference in a series. 

Pablo and Sonny then pray for rain

We've speculated on this before and I maintain that if Ryan is close to his pre All Star break form he's clearly the #3.  Maeda has history of being moved to the BP come post season by the Dodgers and he's been VERY GOOD there.  Maeda probably becomes our 8th inning guy in the playoffs.  Ryan and Ober are the wildcards. Pre All Star break Ryan and he's #3.  If Ober's stint at St. Paul gives him the rest he needs to be strong down the stretch then Ober #4 and possibly starting Game #1 of the next round is perfect for the Twins.  Maeda and Keuchel reinforce the BP.  Boy, Funderburk looked pretty good last night.  He should be in the BP come playoff roster.  

The Dodgers had some very good rotations during Maeda's time there and he was always #4 or #5 in their rotation.

If the team gets past the WC round, lets worry who starts Game 4 of the Divisional Series if it gets that far.

20 hours ago, Kenny Powers said:

My prediction of starting rotation:

1.  Lopez

2.  Gray

3.  Ryan

4.  Maeda/Ober (not sure which one pitches, but other will be available for long/piggy back innings)

 

I believe Keuchel will be in the pen as he might be valuable as a situational lefty over Moran/Headrick.