Minnesota Twins: Projected Playoff Roster
Starting Lineup
1B Joe Mauer
2B Brian Dozier
3B Miguel Sano/Eduardo Escobar
CF Byron Buxton
RF Max Kepler
DH Robbie Grossman/Eduardo Escobar
There isn’t much of a surprise here. The starting lineup has little to tweak and question. The one big question surrounds Miguel Sano’s availability as he tries to come back from injury. If I had to solidly land on a prediction it would be that Sano will be a DH at best for the playoffs. That would make Eduardo Escobar the starting third basemen and force Robbie Grossman to the bench.
If there is another question about the starting lineup it has to be if Max Kepler can hit left-handers well enough to stay in the starting lineup if the team faces one. In the New York Yankee series, it appeared that Molitor had trust in Kepler to have good at-bats against lefties. Not to mention having Kepler in right is just the best for the defense and the question marks that still face the teams pitching.
Fans should be able to continue to have good feelings about the lineup going into the playoffs. It is by far the strongest part of this team. As Joe Mauer continues to have a renaissance hitting performance and it feels like a new young bat steps up to be the hero each night.
Bench
UTL Ehire Adrianza
OF Zach Granite
OF Grossman/INF Escobar
1B/DH Kennys Vargas
While the starting lineup created very little in the way of discussion, the bench has a little more intrigue to it. Chris Gimenez as the backup catcher is a certain lock. As well as either Grossman or Escobar depending on what exactly is going on with Sano. Ehire Adrianza and his versatility to play the infield and outfield and a bat that has produced some important hits earns him a spot on the playoff roster.
Looks like Zach Granite has also earned himself a spot on this roster as a defensive replacement for the outfield and a pinch runner. Considering there are a number of guys that can play the outfield on this roster, it wouldn’t be shocking if Granite is left off of it to create space to carry an extra bullpen arm.
Lastly, it seems Kennys Vargas has earned a role as a pinch-hitter and potential spot start DH with the playoff Twins. Since August 21st when Vargas has been regularly included in the lineup he has hit .300/.407/.947 with a .947 OPS. Vargas as a switch-hitting, power bat is a nice asset for a playoff team’s bench.
Starting Rotation
RH Jose Berrios
RH Kyle Gibson
This aspect of the roster only offers 3 positions come playoff time, but it may provide the most controversial position as well. The two easy decisions are that Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios will continue to be the #1 and #2 starters for the Twins. Santana has continued to be steady and reliable as he boasts a 3.34 ERA on the year and in the last 10 games a 3.29 ERA. Not to mention he has proven capable of taking over a game and winning it for his team with five complete games, three of which were shutouts this season.
After his start against the New York Yankees, there is concern surrounding Berrios and big game starts but he is still a lock here. There is a lot going on outside of baseball right now for Berrios so Twins’ fans will be hoping he is able to push that out of his mind or use it as fuel to help him pitch well.
It seems incredible to be typing this, but Kyle Gibson is the pick for the third starter. Things can change yet in the remaining games, but outside of his most recent start where he gave up 5 earned runs in 6.0 innings, Gibson is a better option and edges out Bartolo Colon.
Bullpen:
RH Matt Belisle
RH Ryan Pressly
LH Gabriel Moya
RH Dillon Gee
This bullpen includes eight arms, but as was mentioned earlier it is possible it could go up to nine. Five of these guys should be in without question. That being current closer Matt Belisle, the teams best reliever in Trevor Hildenberger, Taylor Rogers, Alan Busenitz, and long reliever Dillon Gee.
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Ryan Pressly has been one of the most frustrating relievers for the Twins. He has shut-down closer stuff but hasn’t always commanded it well, but lately, he has pitched much better. Since July 1 Pressly has a 2.68 ERA and is striking out just over 8 batters per nine, earning him a spot in this version of a playoff bullpen.
Gabriel Moya makes it as the second left-hander coming out of the bullpen over Buddy Boshers. This move is a leap of faith as there are only three major league appearances for Moya, but there isn’t any reason to have faith Boshers at this point. Then Adalberto Mejia makes it as another long reliever. Mejia may thrive in a bullpen role during a playoff run as he is often very successful the first time through a lineup.
Next: 1987 World Series Profile: Juan Berenguer
This could be your 2017 playoff Minnesota Twins. It is still crazy to think this team will be a playoff team, but it is getting closer and closer to being a reality. Is someone being left off this roster that needs to be there for Twins as they try to make a playoff run? Let us know!