The Red Sox will have more depth in the bullpen and less flexibility in the infield when the American League Championship Series begins at the Trop on Friday night. Terry Francona announced his team's roster today. Mike Timlin is in, Gil Velazquez is out and David Ross remains.
If you support Francona's claim that the Red Sox need an extra arm in the bullpen for a potential seven-game series, it's hard to debate the addition of Timlin. It was either the 42-year-old veteran who posted a 5.66 ERA in 47 appearances (opposing hitters have a .302 average against him, and he has a ghastly 1.62 WHIP) or the inconsistent David Aardsma, who has a lively arm but has suffered from a groin injury and has problems throwing strikes.
I don't believe that the Sox need a seventh reliever because of the schedule. Game One and Game Two are in Tampa Bay on Friday and Saturday. Game Three and Game Four are at Fenway Park on Monday and Tuesday while Game Five is in Boston on Thursday. If necessary, Game Six and Game Seven will take place at the Trop on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th. Because of the built-in off days, a six-man bullpen could effectively handle the load.
Manny Delcarmen and Justin Masterson can give the Sox multiple innings in a game. Paul Byrd throws strikes, so he if valuable as a long man or an additional arm if there are extra innings. Javier Lopez is best suited to pitch to one or two batters, and Hideki Okajima is most effective when he is limited to one inning. Since this is the post-season, it does not hurt to have Jonathan Papelbon enter in the eighth.
Simply put, Timlin's presence is a waste of a roster spot. I understand why Francona prefers to have three catchers. Keeping David Ross permits the skipper to pinch-hit for Varitek and then pinch-hit once more (if needed) when Kevin Cash's spot in the order arrives. I would rather see Gil Velazquez on the roster instead of Timlin. Yes, Velazquez has just tasted a very brief cup of coffee in the big leagues, but he is a solid defender who can proficiently play second, shortstop and third. The Sox would benefit from the insurance of the 28-year-old minor league veteran's versatility.
If the Timlin of today was like the Timlin of 2005 (when he posted a 2.24 ERA), the decision would be a no-brainer. But this is the Timlin who serves up home runs like a batting practice pitcher and has a gas tank that is on fumes. Minus Timlin, the bullpen is adequate with Papelbon, Delcarmen, Masterson, Okajima (when used for no more than an inning), Lopez (when used solely against left-handed hitters) and Byrd (who would not be ideal to summon with runners on base, but would suffice to start an inning).
As for the lineup, I imagine that career numbers against Rays pitchers will determine which players start. Francona has options. He can put Kevin Youkilis at third, Jed Lowrie at short and Mark Kotsay or Sean Casey at first; or he can start Jed Lowrie at third, Alex Cora at short and Youkilis at first. I like Casey's bat, but Kotsay is an athletic first baseman (because of his outfield prowess), and he is hitting enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Perhaps Coco Crisp will start in center and Jacoby Ellsbury in right when Scott Kazmir is on the mound since J.D. Drew tends to struggle against left-handers.
As for the starting rotation, I like Daisuke Matsuzaka starting Game One, Josh Beckett getting the call in Game Two (on five days of rest) and Jon Lester taking the mound in Game Three (at Fenway Park, where he is especially dominant). It makes sense to start Tim Wakefield over Paul Byrd in Game Four. As I mentioned earlier, Byrd has value as a long reliever. If Wakefield was in the pen, then Varitek would need to be pulled if the knuckleballer was called upon.
Even with Timlin, I think the Red Sox will win the ALCS in six games. Yet I would feel more comfortable if there was a more reliable seventh option in the bullpen.
Recent Comments