Projecting the Astros ALDS roster

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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Yuli Gurriel #10 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by Carlos Correa #1 after hitting a two run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Houston Astros 9-8. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Happy postseason eve to all of the baseball fans out there! And the Astros are included.

The stage has been set for the Astros in the ALDS. Their opponent will be Boston. In fact, they could potentially play the Red Sox nine games in a row. That doesn’t happen often.

In turn, we are wondering about the postseason roster. And there are a few question marks.

So, I complied a list of players that, I believe, will be on the Astros 2017 ALDS roster. Just remember that my opinion is far from infallible.

ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Verlander /

Starting Rotation

RHP Justin Verlander
LHP Dallas Keuchel
RHP Brad Peacock
RHP Charlie Morton

The top of the Astros’ starting rotation for the ALDS should be easy. Justin Verlander is the number one pitcher. Dallas Keuchel is number two. Verlander’s first five starts in a Houston uniform – 1.06 ERA in 34 innings – makes him the easy number one in my eyes. Keuchel has pitched well in September- 2.87 ERA in 31.1 innings – but his rough August makes it a bit more difficult to trust him over Verlander.

If I can be frank, there is no purpose to having a fifth pitcher in the rotation during the postseason. If something unfortunate or unforeseen happens, you transition a long-relief pitcher back to the starting job. That said, the final two rotation spots should go to Brad Peacock and Charlie Morton. Not Lance McCullers or Collin McHugh. Honestly, the former have outperformed the latter, especially in the second half.

Last 30 days split as of 9/30:

Brad Peacock; 2.57 ERA in 28.1 innings
Charlie Morton; 2.54 ERA in 28 innings
Lance McCullers; 3.06 ERA in 17.2 innings
Collin McHugh; 5.19 ERA in 8.2 innings

I’m honestly surprised I would type that statement. McCullers has a great start to the season before injuries crept back into the equation. And I think McCullers should get another opportunity at starting next season. But he hasn’t been right since his return from the DL. Saturday’s start in Boston, McCullers’ last of the regular season, didn’t help the situation.

4.1 innings, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 6 SO, 83 pitches-51 strikes

McHugh would normally be included in a postseason rotation. But the results of Peacock and Morton make it too difficult to replace one with McHugh.

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 4: Relief pitcher Ken Giles #53 of the Houston Astros shakes hands with catcher Brian McCann #16 of the Houston Astros after a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on September 4, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Astros won the game 6-2.(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Bullpen

RHP Ken Giles
RHP Joe Musgrove
RHP Chris Devenski
RHP Will Harris
RHP Lance McCullers
RHP Collin McHugh
RHP Luke Gregerson
LHP Francisco Liriano

It has been obvious that Ken Giles, Chris Devenski and Will Harris would be on any postseason roster as long as optimal playing health prevailed. McCullers and McHugh are obvious choices in case they need a relief pitcher to throw multiple innings or as a fill-in starter.

The others are little less obvious. For example, Luke Gregerson hasn’t been the same pitcher since he was “America’s Closer” in the World Baseball Classic. The wonders of a 4.50 ERA in 60 innings. But his experience still brings value for the table.

Joe Musgrove started the season as a starting pitcher and struggled. Quite a bit I might add. But since his transition to the bullpen – 1.44 ERA in 31.1 relief innings – the right-handed pitcher has been a valuable asset to the Astros’ bullpen. In fact, he has been used in late-inning situations along with Devenski and Giles. Look for more of the same in postseason.

The last two spots in the bullpen will likely go to either Francisco Liriano and Tony Sipp. While both have struggled earlier in the season, September has been kind to them.

Tony Sipp: 1.80 ERA in 5.0 innings
Francisco Liriano: 1.59 ERA in 5.2 innings

Obviously both pitchers are of the kind left-handed variety. The postseason is known for its matchups.

Position Players

C Brian McCann
C Juan Centeno
INF Yuli Gurriel
INF Jose Altuve
INF Alex Bregman
INF Carlos Correa
UTIL Marwin Gonzalez
OF George Springer
OF Josh Reddick
OF Derek Fisher
OF Cameron Maybin
DH/OF Carlos Beltran
C/DH Evan Gattis

The Astros’ will likely carry 13 position players compared to 12 pitchers in the ALDS. One key reason, which Eric Huysman highlighted here, was the catcher and designated hitter situation. At this point, I would think Juan Centeno has a leg up on Max Stassi for the third catcher job.

The remaining position players are easy to decipher why they are on the postseason roster. It’s not even worth mentioning why the likes of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer are on the postseason roster. I’m not sure why I wasted time to even write that sentence.

But there are a few players included that some may feel like is worthy to question.

For example, Carlos Beltran and his 76 wRC+. In a way, I do feel like the respected veteran card is played and it does make some sense. But the value Beltran brings to the clubhouse cannot be quantified. And it’s obvious his presence and experience rubbed off on his young teammates. Plus, there is the matchup value to consider. His 90 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers when he bats left-handed is below-average, but this is much better than his 34 wRC+ as a right-handed batter against left-handed pitching. Definitely not great, and I may be reaching with that split. No, wait, I definitely am. But, once again, the postseason experience is a factor.

The addition of Cameron Maybin and Derek Fisher makes sense in the outfield. You need outfielders in the postseason. Evan Gattis brings value as a catcher and designated hitter. Obviously more as a catcher, but you get the point. He can be used as a DH in place of Beltran in plenty of matchups. The rest of the position players are self-explanatory. Remember that the Astros had a league-best 121 wRC+ entering Saturday. They know how to score.

Next: Astros most likely to carry three catchers in the playoffs

The postseason roster is a delicate balancing act. As you may have noticed, this roster will likely be without Mike Fiers, Tyler Clippard, Francis Martes, Reymin Guduan and Max Stassi along with others that I’m blanking on during a Saturday night. Roster versatility is so important now. The postseason is just a different beast. But the Astros seem well-prepared to challenge such a beast.

**Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs**

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