I'd assume they'd add a pitcher and remove a hitter. Gattis is cold but I would bet Straw doesn't make it. Remove Straw...add Peacock Remove Harris...add Rondon
Remove Gattis, add Peacock. Rondon or Harris doesn't matter, they're both untrustworthy. Just garbage in garbage out, could be Devo or Valdez for all I care. edit- forgot about Smith, Smith is clearly a better option than those other guys I mentioned, although he would still be near the bottom of the pecking order. That's it.
My bullpen pecking order 1.Osuna 2.Pressly 3.McHugh 4.LMJ 5.Sipp . 6.James . . 7.Peacock 8.Smith . . . . . 9.Harris,Rondon etc
Peacock for Harris. Peacock proved last postseason that he can handle the pressure, and that's something I would not leave off the team. Who knows what you will get from James, Rondon and even Pressly (although he has been good so far...).
1. Pressly 2. Everyone else on ALCS roster There is some difference in 2 based on matchups and slight skill difference, but overall all those pitchers are in the same tier.
Peacock didn’t translation to the bullpen well like McHugh, but he still had a great K rate and there might be that Game 5 type game when you are stretched thinner and are in need of a K with runners on base. He proved to have stones in high pressure playoff situation. Go with him.
I dont think Rondon sniffs the playoff roster at any point after his antics. And rightfully so. He is lucky to be allowed to travel and sit on the bench imo. I would go smith over him anyways. Probably leave off Straw.
I doubt Astros care too much about Rondon's antics. It seems Hinch and Rondon talked, and Hinch fixed it so it won't happen again (or at least fixed it to Hinch's satisfaction). Whether they go with Rondon, Peacock, or Smith, I don't know.
Keep the same 14 position players. Straw is a valuable PR. Kemp and Gattis are fine as PH’ers against LH pitching in place of Reddick, McCann and Marisnick as the defensive sub. I’m taking Peacock over Harris, he’s more playoff tested and can go multiple innings (2017 playoffs) or just retire a dangerous part of the Sox lineup. At this point Astros really only need guys who can handle late inning success. I feel pretty confident Astros starting pitching can get the game deeper before turning it over even so Astros have McHugh, McCullers, Peacock & James too bridge that gap for Pressly & Osuna with Sipp too face the dangerous LH bat or two.
I like this approach. I suppose people are pushing for one less position player and one more pitcher because the Red Sox have a much better offense than the Indians, but if you have Peacock, McHugh and McCullers you should be well covered for any necessary long relief, and I much prefer to have guys like Straw who are so lightning fast they seem to be capable of stealing a base off anyone.
Relievers are fickle. Never know when you are going to burn through a pen. Gattis pinch hitting for Reddick once or twice a series doesn't seem as important to me. I think Astros keep Straw with Gattis being odd man out if Astros go 13 hitters.
He didn't come onto the field when his name was called for Game 1 of the ALDS. Not the most egregious mistake, but not a good look.
This is the answer in my opinion. I bet that's the 12 pitchers that are rostered. As to the position players I hope it's Straw over Gattis. I value Straw's game changing destructive speed late in a close game over anything Gattis can do.