Presumptuous and Preposterous: Who Makes the Twins Postseason Rotation

[nicksaviking]

Barring injury you'd have to think Santana and Berrios are locks.

 

But assuming the Twins get to the playoffs and get past the play-in game (is there a knock on wood emoji?) who are the other two starters assuming (again with the assumptions?) they go with and need four?

 

I'd guess Colon and Gibson. But you have Gee in the rotation now, Mejia should be coming back. Maybe Santiago comes back? Any dark horses? An August 31st acquisition? An inspired Duensing-esque late season surge by an unheralded youngster like Slegers?

[USAFChief]

Completely preposterous.

 

Who will play second?

[Respy]

And on top of that, let's presume they win a wild card spot, they win the wild card game (which they will probably make every effort to start Santana or Berrios), that throws the Division Round rotation out of whack because Santana and Berrios can't be 1-2 anymore.  So if you had the choice, which would you throw out for the wild card game and only 1 game of the Division Round, and which would you throw out for Games 1 and 5 of the Division Round?

[yarnivek1972]

 

And on top of that, let's presume they win a wild card spot, they win the wild card game (which they will probably make every effort to start Santana or Berrios), that throws the Division Round rotation out of whack because Santana and Berrios can't be 1-2 anymore.  So if you had the choice, which would you throw out for the wild card game and only 1 game of the Division Round, and which would you throw out for Games 1 and 5 of the Division Round?

These things have a way of playing themselves out.  It seems highly unlikely that the Twins will be in any kind of position to juggle their rotation to set up for the playoffs, should they make it.  

 

In reality, IMO, Santana and Berrios are equally likely to be dominant or lay an egg and Colon is just as likely to be "his kind of dominant" as he is to get hammered.  Point being, I really don't think it matters that much who pitches which games.

[nicksaviking]

 

  Point being, I really don't think it matters that much who pitches which games.

 

Great, I'm just going to mark you down with "Gibson" then.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

So if you had the choice, which would you throw out for the wild card game and only 1 game of the Division Round, and which would you throw out for Games 1 and 5 of the Division Round?

Santana needs to get the Wild Card game. No way do I throw Berrios out there in a do-or-die situation (probably on the road to boot), even if he's probably the better pitcher by a slight margin.

 

And if that gives Berrios two divisional round games, so be it.

[USAFChief]

I'd hope to pitch Santana on regular rest.

 

[ashbury]

I know nobody does this anymore, but I'd still go all '87 Blyleven-and-Viola and use a three-man playoff rotation until it blew up in my face. Santana, Berrios, with Colon being my older-and-craftier Straker. They have all winter to rest up.

 

/ edit - nice theory, wrong bullpen. I have all winter to find a new job.

[Thrylos]

The way Santana's starts fall now, look like:

9/3 KC

9/8 @KC

9/13 SD

9/18 @NYY

9/23 @DET

9/28 @CLE

 

This is with 2 free days assuming that they will skip the number 5 (Gee/whomever) starter and start the rest on regular rest.

 

Last game of the season is 10/1 @ DET slated to be started by the 5th starter; next is Gibson's regular start. 10/2 - no game.  and Santana's on 10/3 the wild-card date.

So with regular rest Santana will start the wild-card game and the Twins have the option to start Gibson (+2 days rest) or Berrios (+1 days rest) or Colon (normal rest) of regular rest for the 1st game of the ALDS) on 10/5.   Santana then slated for game 3 of the ALDS on 10/8.

 

Of course it is way too early

[Pardon My Dinger]

Call me crazy...I would throw big sexy out there in a wild card game.

[Jerr]

Well...if rested I say Colon for that game           

Yep, I just posted that!!!! !!!!!!  

[Jerr]

 

Call me crazy...I would throw big sexy out there in a wild card game.

As I type my pick!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Completely preposterous.

 

Who will play second?

What's on second.

[Jerr]

 

What's on second.

Where is Who playing?????

[yarnivek1972]

I don't give a darn

[Rosterman]

Problems if the wild card hunt lasts until the last games of the seasons. You can prep your rotation.

 

The Twins have an advantage. Everyone of the roster August 31 is eligible for post-season play, as well as anyone on the disabled list.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Problems if the wild card hunt lasts until the last games of the seasons. You can prep your rotation.

 

The Twins have an advantage. Everyone of the roster August 31 is eligible for post-season play, as well as anyone on the disabled list.

The team positioned for the home field in the WC game usually has some flexibility to plan their rotation for the WC game.

[USAFChief]

Call me crazy...I would throw big sexy out there in a wild card game.

You're crazy.

[Thrylos]

 

Completely preposterous.

 

Who will play second?

 

Gee!

[Thrylos]

 

 

 

The Twins have an advantage. Everyone of the roster August 31 is eligible for post-season play, as well as anyone on the disabled list.

 

Other than Castro and Sano, whom the Twins would rather have out of the DL and playing, I don't see this as an advantage.  Unlikely that Santiago, Hughes, May, Enns, or Chargois will be able to help

[diehardtwinsfan]

with the longer format, I'm not sure they can completely go with a 3 man, though I'd do it as much as possible. The question to me is whether or not Gibson continues pitching like he has the last month or so. If he does, well... I'd be looking at Santana, Berrios, Gibson, and Colon... but I really feel dirty for saying that.

[Taildragger8791]

Whoever starts the wildcard play-in game can still pitch Game 3 of the ALDS on regular rest, but that means the Game 1 starter would be a day short on rest for Game 4. So you could do a 3-man rotation initially if you had the starters you liked for that role. It'll probably come down to who's turn it is if we're down to the wire, otherwise get Santana in the WC game. I'd actually be okay with Colon starting game 1 then since he's the calm & stable vet with a rubber arm who could take the short rest, then roll out Berrios in game 2 and Santana in Game 3. Back to Colon, then Berrios in game 5 on regular rest if needed. A little unconventional but seems like a reasonable compromise. That also potentially sets up the next series to start with Berrios or Santana.

[The Wise One]

 

Where is Who playing?????

He is in Durham NC, mostly being a relief pitcher. 

[Darius]

Honestly, Berrios probably has the best shot at shutting someone out and single-handedly winning a play-in. But, I can't see the club going with anyone other than Santana to open.

 

The third has to be Gibson the way he is pitching lately, if you're lucky enough to get that far.

 

This is all under the assumption that they snag a wildcard, which is still very much in doubt. The series against the Yankees will be key (Yanks theoretically could sweep, locking up a playoff spot for themselves and doing the Angels/Orioles a favor). Also, for some reason, even though they've been great in the road, I'm pretty concerned about the 7 game swing coming up through Tampa and KC. I have a foreboding feeling that the spotless road record is due for some regression.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

He is in Durham NC, mostly being a relief pitcher.

 

The Twins play the Rays next week. It will be interesting to see if the Rays call up Hu and Plouffe from AAA to play against the Twins before the Durham season is over.