Playoff Roster
- Thread starter Bdawg2309
- Start date
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
Downs has been terrible in September, along with several other people who made the roster. If he is injured, that is a different story.
bravesnumberone
Well-known member
Walden better be 100 percent and ready to dominate. Otherwise, he doesn't need to be on here, either.
ProbationDeac
High School Draftee
Yup no big complaints here either. I might have gone with Maholm over Garcia but I don't feel as uncomfortable with Garcia has some do.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
Constanza...
Yes!! Gives us the three talisman formation. Elliot Johnson (white talisman), Constanza (black Hispanic talisman), Laird (white Hispanic talisman). We're good.
I'm also pleased with the choices for pitching. Downs was ineffective down the stretch. If Walden is healthy he's a good choice. Also Hale pitched very well in his two starts and has experience in the minors as a reliever. This makes him a better choice as a long man than Maholm. Finally, I'm glad they went with 11 pitchers. This created room for Constanza. Putting all three of Schafer, BJ and Constanza on the roster suggests to me that Fredi is going to be aggressive with the use of pinch runners. We could see any of McCann, Gattis and Chris Johnson get pinch run for.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
Downs was our big trade pick-up and he doesn't even make the roster, wow.
Laird as well, meaning Fredi could use him to lead off an inning and then run for him when he gets on. Essentially get the OBP skills of Laird coupled with the SB ability of BJ/Schafer/Constanza.
Fredi has very limited weapons on his bench as far as offensive firepower goes, but he can do some things with pinch runners that may very well help steal a run in a close game.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
The choices speak to an emphasis on recent performance. That's how it has to be in the playoffs. I admired Bruce Bochy for making some tough choices in 2010 and 2012. He went with the hot hands and didn't care if big names like Zito or Lincecum were left off rosters or put in different roles.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
Good point re Laird. Reed and Laird are the primary pinch hitters against LHP. Schafer and Constanza against RHP. I think BJ will be the first one used as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
Reed is 1 for 3 against Kershaw, and Laird is 1 for 2.
Others of note, Heyward 0 for 4 with 4 Ks. Freeman has a home run and 2 walks in 4 plate appearances against Kershaw.
NYCBrave
Well-known member
He was never the same after the fluke injury he suffered. You can't blame the organization on that.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
There is just something special about Constanza. He had a triple last year in the Wild Card game.
nsacpi
Expects Yuge Games
The roster is configured to do well in a close game, where a pinch runner or defensive replacement can make a big difference. I think we have to assume we'll see several games like that given the Dodgers' starting pitching. We'll likely be looking to manufacture a run here and then and hold on with our defense and pen.
The way things are set up, I like our chances in a one run game from the 6th inning on.
I feel a bit sad for Uggla, Maholm, Downs, Varvaro.
But what a thrill and surprise it must be for Hale and Constanza.
The way things are set up, I like our chances in a one run game from the 6th inning on.
I feel a bit sad for Uggla, Maholm, Downs, Varvaro.
But what a thrill and surprise it must be for Hale and Constanza.
Braves1976
It's OVER 5,000!
I agree about Constanza because I watched him in the minor league playoffs with Cleveland's organization. He led that team to a championship in AAA leading off with clutch hits. He clearly brings his game up a notch come playoff time. When he hit that triple last year I said then that he can be on my playoff bench any day.
NYCBrave
Well-known member
If this was a month ago and we had a healthy Avilan, Downs, and Walden, I'd feel a lot better about the 6th inning on. But do you really still feel comfortable with what we've seen lately?