Post-clinching Postseason roster predictions

The Twins just clinched their division last night. What a moment. I mean, this season will possibly be one of the most memorable ones in history. But now that we’re here, let’s take a look at who will be on the playoff team.

Locks for the playoff roster

SP/RP Randy Dobnak

RP Trevor May

RP Sergio Romo

2B Luis Arraez

3B Miguel Sano

RF Max Kepler

LF Eddie Rosario

DH Nelson Cruz

Pitchers: I think that a good rotation for the playoffs would be Berrios-Dobnak-Odorizzi-Bullpen game. We need Berrios as our Game 1 starter. He doesn’t shy away from the big moment. Dobnak just proved last night that he can be a reliable option to turn to in the playoffs. He needs to be on the roster. Tyler Duffey has not allowed an earned run since late July, and I believe that he will keep it up. Trevor May is a pretty reliable reliever if he can keep the home runs down. Odorizzi is a good, but inconsistent, pitcher. He has been one of the better starters in the league when he’s on. Taylor Rogers has been great all season in the closer role, and big moments never scare him. Lastly, Sergio Romo has been in the spotlight, and was a great acquisition.

Position players: The catching situation is really intriguing. Garver has been clutch all season, and Castro still, for the most part, equally shares the catching duties with Garver. I don’t think Baldelli will change that in the playoffs. Luis Arraez came up clutch last night, but last night it was with a homer. For most of the season, he kept hitting base hits when we needed him. Marwin Gonzalez has came up clutch in the playoffs for the Astros multiple times, and he could be a hero for us too. Polanco, the All-Star, wasn’t as hot in the second half of the season, but he was still All-Star worthy. Sano has been on a tear lately, hitting 6 homers in the last 12 games. So the infield is set. The outfield, plagued by injuries this season, still isn’t 100 percent healthy. The only two locks there are Rosario and Kepler. Nelson Cruz is our home run leader, and he gives the team veteran a veteran presence to rely on.

Probably will make it

SP/RP Kyle Gibson

RP Zack Littell

C/2B/anything else Willians Astudillo

UT Ehire Adrianza

CF Jake Cave

2B Jonathan Schoop

Gibby has been on the roster all season, and would be a great bullpen option in the playoffs as well as a starter. Littell has been good in the season’s second half, and he has provided some length from the bullpen. La Tortuga would be useful in the postseason for pinch-hitting, being practically a Swiss Army knife in the field, and just being a fan favorite. Adrianza would be a great pinch-hitter, and can play many positions. And Cave could start in the outfield, since we will be a bit short on outfielders. Schoop could also be there on the bench, or in a starting role.

Players who are a bit of a toss-up

SP/RP Martin Perez

1B CJ Cron

Graterol can throw a 100 mile an hour fastball, and any pitcher that throws 100+ and it makes it move as well as Graterol does gives himself a chance to make any roster. Perez provides length in the bullpen, and when you are doing a bullpen day every fourth game, length is much needed. The same can be said about Smeltzer. LaMonte Wade Jr. and Ryan LaMarre provide outfield depth, which would be necessary on this team. Cron has lived up to expectations offensively and exceeded them defensively, Lastly, Stashak is just another bullpen arm vying for a spot.

My final roster predictions