2B - Altuve 3B - Bregman DH - Alvarez RF - Tucker C - Maldy LF - Brantley 1B - Abreu CF - McCormick SS - Pena Backup C - Diaz Emergency C - Salazar Utility - Dubon 3rd OF - Meyers PR - Loperfido/ Leon SP1 - Verlander SP2 - Valdez SP3 - Javier SP4 - Urquidy Long - France, Brown Mid Relief - Graveman, Stanek, Maton Setup - Neris, Abreu Closer - Pressly
I doubt they are carrying 3 catchers. Diaz will not play any position other than catcher this postseason. He will not play when Maldy is catching, other than going in to pinch hit when necessary.
Here's my guess for the ALDS: Starters (4): Verlander, Valdez, Javier, Urquidy Middle/Long Relief (4): Brown, France, Stanek, Maton, Graveman Late relief (3): Pressly, Abreu, Neris Infield (6): Bregman, Pena, Altuve, Abreu, Dubon, Kessinger Outfield (5): Brantley, McCormick, Tucker, Alvarez, Meyers Catchers (3): Maldy, Diaz, Salazar Yes, that's 12 pitchers and 14 position players, but remember, for the shorter series, we have always had one extra bench player and one less pitcher. For the ALCS and WS (should we advance), expect one of the bench players to be removed (could be Meyers, or Kessinger) for another reliever (likely Montero). I think Salazar will be on the roster because it allows Diaz to DH and then move to C without losing the DH.
Assuming the likely scenario Diaz won't play in Framber/Verlander 1 and 2, he will have had one PA in 13 days heading into game 3. He's part of the future, but Dusty has decided he's largely meaningless on the 2023 Astros aside from being the emergency catcher. I loathe that fact but it is what it is. The roster seems pretty cut and dry save for the 13th pitcher. I'm sure Dusty will fight for Singleton over Meyers/Salazar, but I can't see the front office giving him an alternative to Diaz unless they have to. 9 everyday hitters Diaz Dubon Kessinger Meyers Salazar in ALDS, off the roster if we make it to ALCS All 6 starters will be on the roster Pressly/Neris/Abreu high leverage Graveman/Maton mid leverage Montero/Stanek last men in, one is off roster for ALDS I think Hunter Brown will be in the mid leverage group.
Seems like this year will be more cut and dry then previous years. I don't anticipate any major surprises.
Pinch hitting for Maldy is part of why the 3rd catcher. I'd be stunned if we don't carry Salazar in the ALDS.
He doesn't make the roster...YET! But he will certainly keep a player on the bench just to show the GM who is the real boss.
Prediction for Game 1 1. 2B Altuve 2. 3B Bregman 3. DH Alvarez* 4 RF Tucker* 5. 1B Abreu 6. LF Brantley* 7. CF Dubon 8. SS Pena 9. C Maldonado SP Verlander vs RHS Ryan McCormick in LF if they start a lefty.
ALDS vs Twins Altuve Bregman Alvarez Tucker Abreu Brantley McCormick Pena Maldy No way Dusty doesn't start Maldy after how the last 4 games went - Maldy started all 4 games. If France or Brown are chosen to start game 4 then maybe Diaz gets a start, but Maldy starts games 1-3 and also game 4 if Urquidy starts. Twins have all RHSP so Brantley will play all games, shoulder willing. I think with Maldy starting, the Astros will want Chas' bat in the lineup but Dubon could possibly takeaway a start or 2. Bench: Diaz, Salazar, Dubon, Kessinger, Meyers Salazar allows Dusty freedom to use Diaz at DH or emergency 1B. Meyers is needed because if Dubon is needed in infield and Brantley has a shoulder issue they are short in the OF. Similarly, Kessinger allows Dubon to play OF if needed. Rotation: JV, Framber, Javier, Urquidy This is crazy because I was preaching to leave Urquidy off the roster all together a week ago. If the choices for a 4 SP are Brown, France, or Urquidy then Urquidy gets it due to recency bias and the other 2 simply not doing anything recently to keep him from taking it. Bullen: Leverage: Pressly, Abreu, Neris mid-late: Graveman, Stanek, Maton, Brown Long: France If they make it to the ALCS, then a bench player will need to be removed and a pitcher added.
I really don't like this matchup in a shortened series. Twins can smother the Astros with their surplus of good SP while the Astros will surely concede some runs with their mediocre pitching and garbage catching/receiving. Bats have some work to do.
I'd hardly categorize their SP as surplus The stros 2 aces > any of their SP any day Tbh Toronto has the better SP's to matchup vs the stros. It's their offense that choked the last two games and why they're not playing this weekend
