Twins ALDS Roster Announced

Dance with the one that brung ya.

Well let's hope they're all healthy!

Let's go win this!  Selections make sense  - my only slight surprises were Adrianza over Astudillo was Adrianza  going to be well enough to play and Smeltzer over Perez but no complaints there.

All good.  Ice cold.  Handedness aside, I'd take Gibson over Thorpe and Perez also.  I have a vague (and perhaps faulty) memory of Perez coming out of the pen back in April, and being awful.  At least Gibson has been preparing.

I'm a little surprised at Austudillo and choosing Graterol over Perez. But no complaints either. As that STrib article about the clubhouse said, Austudillo makes a difference...off the field.

Does he still get to hang around the clubhouse?

Once they reach the World Series I'm curious if Cruz might play OF.

One step at a time though.

Adrianza over Tortuga - assuming they saw what they needed health-wise - makes sense.  

Gibson might be more of a loyalty add than a real cog in the machine, but if you leave him off he is replaced by who?  Thorpe?  Not a huge upside there anyway, and if the Twins get blasted in a game they can trot Gibson out for 4-5 innings to preserve the rest of the 'pen.  I guess the other option for him is to trot out a Gibson/Smeltzer tandem for Game 4 if we are up 2-1 and prevent Berrios from going on short rest.  (And let Berrios/Odo get you 6-7 innings combined in Game 5.)

I think several guys are still sort of question marks due to health.  Turtle is next man up.  Hopefully Gibby can be a serviceable long man and hopefully he is not needed.

I want Perez over Gibson. Perez can be lefty specialist only.

I want Wade over Schoop. Wade can provide speed and outfield depth on the bench.

They're betting on Arraez being healthy soon, but probably not for today's game.  We need Schoop at 2B.

Pitchers are as I expected--but I could see some changes if we advance.

I am a little apprehensive about Adrianza's spot. I like him but the guy hasn't hit in a while and even when he was didn't have as much upside as Wade. I hope we don't have to use him. I would like to have Astudillo, but if Garver/Castro are healthy it probably doesn't matter. 

With the lefty starting tonight it probably gives Arraez an extra day to rest his ankle.

My lineup for tonight:

SS-Jorge Polanco

C-Mitch Garver

DH-Nelson Cruz

LF-Eddie Rosario

3B-Miguel Sano

RF-Marwin Gonzalez

1B-CJ Cron

CF-Max Kepler

2B-Jonathan Schoop

I can roll with this. Bring on the Yankees!

Pitchers are as I expected--but I could see some changes if we advance.

 

I am a little apprehensive about Adrianza's spot. I like him but the guy hasn't hit in a while and even when he was didn't have as much upside as Wade. I hope we don't have to use him. I would like to have Astudillo, but if Garver/Castro are healthy it probably doesn't matter. 

 

With the lefty starting tonight it probably gives Arraez an extra day to rest his ankle.

 

My lineup for tonight:

 

SS-Jorge Polanco

C-Mitch Garver

DH-Nelson Cruz

LF-Eddie Rosario

3B-Miguel Sano

RF-Marwin Gonzalez

1B-CJ Cron

CF-Max Kepler

2B-Jonathan Schoop

 

I can roll with this. Bring on the Yankees!

The personnel is spot on, I think...but I think Garver leads off.

The personnel is spot on, I think...but I think Garver leads off.

Probably--but I would love for someone to be on base when Garver jacks one in the first...

With only three outfielders, Adrianza makes more sense than Tortuga,    Ehire along with Gonzalez and Arraez add versatility to tht roster more than the third catcher.   Yankees hit lefties well, so Perez could be on roster in later rounds of playoffs (he3re's hoping), against teams which struggle against lefties.    

Smeltzer was the only effective pitcher in an entire game against the Yankees not that long ago. Perez and Thorpe have both been awful. I like the pitching selections a lot.

My only slight surprise is that Arraez and Ehire are healthy enough to go in this series, which effectively bumps Astudillo off the roster. You probably need a backup shortstop for Polanco and Rocco hasn't been comfortable putting Marwin there, so that was probably a factor. 

I'm happy with the exclusion of Perez. I've been picturing Gardner and Gregorius getting to 3 and 1 and teeing off on him in a key situation.

As others have said, little surprised with Adrianza's inclusion. But he provides a little more than the Turtle.
 

As with Gibby over Perez, meh, seems like it has as much to do with the Yankees only having 2 lefty bats as it does with Gibby's ability to pitch. Wouldn't expect much out of either, hopefully Gibby proves me wrong.

I'm glad that Adrianza is on the roster. He must be healthy, otherwise I doubt he would be with. I would use him late in the game as a defensive replacement. With Schoop, Aarez, Adriaza, Polanco, you have some nice options there depending upon who starts and who sits. 

As for the pitching, I don't see a ton of value in having Gibson on there unless you are planning on using him only in mopup situations to keep the rest of your guys fresh. That said, he has done it before and it's the playoffs, anything can happen maybe he gives us some good innings. 

Not going to get into any of the decisions as I am just 1000% happy that the Twins will be playing baseball tonight.

What I do find interesting, however, is Perez being left off the roster.  Is that a sign that his option will not be picked up this winter?

I'm glad they have 13 position players. Disappointed that Turtle wasn't one of them because he has been playing and Adrianza hasn't in a few weeks. but Twins know their personnel and whether they can go or not, so I trust them.

 But I wouldn't have included Graterol at all. He's way too inexperienced and very hittable. but if it was between him and Perez its a roll of the dice.

OK--lets go win game one.

I'm really shocked that Kohl Stewart didn't make it! Maybe we're saving him for game 7 of the World Series where he'll pitch a 10 inning shutout!

If Adrianza is healthy, that's a nice development. And Arraez too, of course.

I'm assuming Arraez gets another day to rest the ankle today.

Rust is a factor for everyone given the way the post-season schedule plays out...but especially for Kepler, Adrianza...and even Gonzalez and Cron.