Duffy made it, nice. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Astros roster indeed includes Matt Duffy as 25th man. No surprises. <a href="http://t.co/G81gc4CnQz">pic.twitter.com/G81gc4CnQz</a></p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/651414190809346048">October 6, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So did Villar... no surprises at all since they get to change the roster if they win this game. This is strictly for tonight's game only. Notice that the only other starting pitcher on the roster is Fiers... no McHugh, McCullers or Kazmir. That will be different if they make the LDS.... don't expect Duffy, Villar, and likely no Fields.
I understand what you are saying, and there is no doubt this is a huge game, and today and tomorrow will have great TV numbers compared to many playoff games. However, semantically speaking I still consider this to be a "Play-In" game rather than a playoff game. I love this new playoff format because it gives Wild Cards a real chance (see last year), but it really rewards teams for winning a division. Regardless, getting into this game makes the season highly successful, win or lose.
Sure.... it literally is a play-off (or play-in) game. But as far as importance/stage goes... this one "winner takes all game" features all the marquee/pressure/importance that any game 7 would. Not to mention there is absolutely no competition tonight from college football, NFL football, or any other MLB game. This will be THE story tonight and tomorrow morning in the sports world.
I'd consider starting Kazmir in KC... not for sure, but I'd consider it. He did great earlier this year there (right after the trade)... and they have their fair-share of lefties. To me, Fields will not be called upon unless the game is out of hand, or if its long into extra innings. And even then, Fiers will be on the roster and could be used as the "long" man.
<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&adSetCode=91cDU6NuXTGKz3OdjOxFdAgJVtQcKJnI&pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:13818728&thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script> <iframe width='640' height='360' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' src='http://sports.yahoo.com/video/dallas-keuchel-carry-astros-alds-212812368.html?format=embed' allowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' allowtransparency='true'></iframe>
Who else would they use in their place? Neither Feliz nor Velasquez did anything special in September to warrant being on the one game roster.
True... or the fact that it involves the Yankees at all (as I'd expect similar coverage if this game was in Houston). Then again, tomorrow's Cubs-Pirates game will get the same marquee attention... but it also involves the Cubs. Hell, SC has a freaking countdown timer to first pitch on their screen... of course, it being on ESPN tonight probably is the reason.
If Kaz is not in the roster is because they have him starting the first game in KC Duffy was my only surprise on that group.
But on the flip side, you could also ask why not have Kazmir (a lefty with playoff experience) available for a possible emergency tonight, if there are zero plans of him pitching in KC? (and by emergency... I mean Keuchel tripping and falling and breaking both arms/legs/face prior or during the game). I do expect McHugh to start the ALDS, regardless... so the question then is LMJ vs. a tough lefty-laden KC lineup that Kazmir did fair well against. I'd lean LMJ, but wouldn't keep Kazmir completely off the roster. Or I guess the absolute alternative is that Kazmir is done as an Astro... regardless of what other games are left.... but the way Luhnow spoke about considering him lately makes me think this is not the case.
Not sure if they wrestled with that decision or not. I was thinking more along the lines that the game goes extremely long. It seems they may want to have a starter ready to just keep pitching. Fiers can perform that role, but in a win or go home game, it seems that an extra 'long' man may be worth it. It would just surprise me if they do win tonight they wouldn't go McHugh, McCullers, Keuchel the first three against the Royals.
