Who Makes the Playoff Roster?

Posted By on September 26, 2023

Currently, the Dodgers have 28 players on the MLB Roster due to the September roster expansion. Two of those players will have to go, and unlike some sites who run headlines like “3 Dodgers Players who have no business being on the 2023 postseason roster,” I think they all deserve to be on the team, but of course, the Dodgers can only have 26 players. That means some are going to be disappointed. The writer of that blog went on to say that Kolten Wong, Alex Vesia, and Gavin Stone were the players who had no business being on the postseason roster.

Barring the dreaded injury-bug, here are the players who are “locks” to be on the postseason roster:

  1. Ryan Brasier
  2. Caleb Ferguson
  3. Brusdar Graterol
  4. Joe Kelly
  5. Clayton Kershaw
  6. Lance Lynn
  7. Shelby Miller
  8. Bobby Miller
  9. Ryan Pepiot
  10. Evan Phillips
  11. Emmet Sheehan
  12. Ryan Yarbrough

There needs to be 13 pitchers, so it would seem likely that the 13th spot boils down to Michael Grove and Alex Vesia. Michael Grove is fresh off the IL but pitched very well in his last outing. If healthy, he will probably get the nod. However, do not disrespect Alex Vesia! Since the All-Star game, he has a 2.73 ERA in 26.1 IP to go with a .80 WHIP. In those 26 IPs, he allowed 16 hits and struck out 29 while walking just one. The league has hit .170 against him since the break. “No business on being on the playoff roster” is something only a moron would say. It boils down to whether you want a lefty “one-inning deliver” or a RH long man in the bullpen. This is a tough call for the Dodger Brass, and I could argue it either way.

Now, let’s look at the 13 position players who are locks to make the squad:

  1. Austin Barnes
  2. Will Smith
  3. Freddie Freeman
  4. Kike Hernandez
  5. Max Muncy
  6. Miguel Rojas
  7. Chris Taylor
  8. Mookie Betts
  9. Jason Heyward
  10. James Outman
  11. David Peralta
  12. JD Martinez

The last spot boils down to Amed Rosario and Kolten Wong. Wong is a LH 2B who only has 20 ABs as a Dodger, so he would seem to be the odd man out, but it very well could boil down to the matchups against a particular team. Wong has had a terrible season, while Rosario is a Lefty Killer. So, it may depend upon who the team faces in the playoffs. For example, Milwaukee has almost all RH Pitchers. The Dodgers could feel that Wong may be the better choice. The last spot is certainly between Rosario and Wong. We shall see what transpires and if the dreaded injury bug strikes.

Let’s Play Two

Bobby Miller starts one game, and TBD starts the other one. I am not familiar with TBD’s stuff! The game starts at 12:10 p.m. PDT. I’d love to see Bobby Miller keep his ERA to way below 4.00.

This article has 65 Comments

  1. I think Grove makes it and Vesia does not. Grove has swing and miss stuff that plays up out of the BP. In a post season game where base runners must be limited I like Grove’s stuff more so than Vesia’s. Alex can throw 94-95 but his FB seems to lack movement and is hittable. I think Caleb and Yarborough are the lefties out of the pen.

    I also think Rosario gets the nod. He is the fastest player on the roster and when you need a stolen base or a pinch runner late in a game for JDM, he’s the guy.

    I sure hope Mookie, Freddie and Will can get hot and carry the Dodgers.

  2. I agree its going to be match-up based but Rosarios speed probably wins out.

    So we will play Brewers-Cubs or Marlins winner who would you like to face?

    I dont love a cross country trip to Miami.

      1. It’s like 1 more hour on a plane each way.

        I’d think without Alcantra, Miami’s pitching wouldn’t be as tough as Milwaukee’s? Then again, it’s a short series and we of all fanbases know anything can happen in a short series.

  4. Ferguson or Vesia? Wow! Either one can be lights out or absolutely awful! I guess Caleb has a slight edge, but who knows. Lack of a top notch lefty concerns me. As for Wong or Rosario, I think Rosario should be the one . A sweep today gets dodgers to 98 wins, 100 would sure be sweet! Dodgers and Braves both could have a tough time winning the pennant, there is som really good pitching to face. Dodgers and Braves are thin on starters right now. Milwaukee probably has top 3 pitchers in playoffs , and the Phillies could take the Braves down again! Hold on it could get wild!

  5. … and I forgot about Kyle Hurt. He is eligible and could be a tool. Would the Dodgers include him instead of whom?

  6. Guys! I’ve been relying on your baseball expertise all year SO regardless of which opponent is most convenient for you personally, which possible opponents do you think would give the Dodgers the best opportunity to go all the way?

    1. I think we would beat either the Cubs, Brewers or the Marlins. I just hope the WC series goes to 3 games.

      I think we match up best with the Brewers. Their lineup is terrible.

      And then Id love to see the Phils knock off the Braves again.

      I think its destined for an ATL-LA NLCS. They got us in 21, we got them in 20. Acuna got the MVP in 23, we get the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP.

  7. Guys! I’ve been relying on your baseball expertise all year SO regardless of which opponent is most convenient for you personally, which possible opponents do think would give the Dodgers the best opportunity to go all the way?

  8. In a five game series with so many off days between games Lynn could be odd man out and bring him back in next seven game series

  9. 3:10 PM ET Game 1

    Dodgers (96-59)
    Rockies (56-99)

    SP Ryan Pepiot R
    2-1 1.91 ERA PRIM
    SP Chase Anderson R
    0-6 5.75 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    2B Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    3B Max Muncy L
    DH J. Martinez R
    RF J. Heyward L
    LF E. Hernandez R
    CF James Outman L
    SS Miguel Rojas R
    C A. Barnes R

    79° Wind 6 mph R-L

  10. Vesia makes the first round roster over Grove – 1 – he’s a lefty 2 – he has more experience in MLB and as a reliever

    Rosario makes the first round over Wong – he allows the all platoon OF that Roberts likes to use and has more positional flexibility than Wong – plus he’s had a better year

  11. As I posted yesterday, my initial playoff pitching staff is:
    1. Kershaw – L
    2. Miller,
    3. Pepiot
    4. Yarborough- L
    5. Fergie – L
    6. Brasier
    7. Graterol
    8. Phillips
    9. Sheehan
    10. Lynn
    11. Vesia
    12. Shelby Miller
    13. Kelly
    Vesia is interesting. He had a brutal first half and his season numbers don’t look that hot. But he’s been good lately. In his last 7 games, he’s at 1.29 and .500 OPS against. And he has a track record. I’m bothered by his struggles with LHB, hence his reverse splits. We have RHP’s better vs RHB.
    * Regarding the different strike zones between Koufax’s time and Kershaw time there’s no need to look beyond the cover photo on Teddy Ballgame’s book “The Science of Hitting” (I can’t seem to attach that photo here but maybe Bear of Mark could?)

  12. I’m glad it’s those three we might play and not the Phillies. I can see them knocking out Atlanta again.

    Do we have an option on Nelson for next year?

    1. Hi toycannon23 . Yes, that is an interesting interview. Yes, that is an interesting interview.
      Coincidentally, I posted that yesterday, in response to Tommy being blamed for the Pedro trade

  15. Apparently it’s really really hard to look up as a base runner as you round 2B to see if the runner in front of you has a stop sign rounding 3B. Terrible minor
    League fundamental base running blunder by Mookie.

    1. Yeah, TBD did not pitch well.
      But another strong outing from Pepiot. He’ll be needed.
      Mark’s assessment of the postseason roster seems right to me. I wish we’d seen a bit more of Hurt.

  18. Brooks Robinson, the Hall of Fame Baltimore Orioles third baseman who helped lead his team to two World Series championships and is widely regarded as baseball’s greatest defensive third baseman ever, died Sept. 26 at 86.

  19. #Dodgers Lineup for Game 2 of Double Header:

    Taylor 3B
    Freeman 1B
    Smith C
    Muncy DH
    Outman CF
    Hernandez RF
    Peralta LF
    Wong 2B
    Rosario SS

    Bobby Miller SP

  20. The offense has been pitiful ever since won the division. I don’t know why this is but sure reminds me of last year. Does anybody think it’s a coincidence that the two teams with five-day layoffs both got bounced in first round last year. In my view it’s the main argument for those crapshoot believers. Unfortunately, there no switch can turn on when it matters most but on the bright side Pepiot looked good.

    3. Totally agree – the long layoff from the WC to the LDS “afforded” the top 2 seeds in each league is (to varying degrees) a competitive hindrance for them, ..and one of the dumbest ideas MLB has ever come up with!

  21. Does anybody out actually think Minnesota Arizona Miami Chicago gonna crapshoot there way to a WS ring if so I got hundred dollars to your one they don’t

  22. It’s nice to see Muncy not trying to pull everything.
    Or trying to jerk everything out of the park.

    What a difference, a few hours makes. that’s what I love about baseball
    7-0 in the fifth, and it’s not like we’re tearing the cover off the ball

  23. Freddie with # 27. Three more and we have four players over 30. Video replay showed that the ball hit the bat twice when Taylor singled in the second, it broke his bat at the handle, then came off of the barrel.

  27. Note to everyone, including yours truly, you call someone names, your post will be deleted. No exceptions. This site is going to stay civil if it kills me. Personal attacks of any nature will not be tolerated. If you have issues with someone on the site, keep them to yourself.

      1. No Eric, I just do not want this site to go the way Scott’s did. It has nothing to do with that at all. We might not agree, but calling names is just not the right way to go about it. I have been guilty of that, and I saw what happened on other sites when the site administrator did not nip it in the bud. I know you do not care for me, that is your choice. But your posts, my posts, it doesn’t matter. No name calling. I am a co-writer on this site, and I can screen posts. I will not delete something unless it is offensive. Calling someone names on the internet when you do not know that person is really kind of childish. You do not know me, and I do not know you. I do know you are a passionate fan of the Dodgers, and you criticize decisions a lot. That is your right. If I disagree, I say so. But there is no need for either of us to resort to calling names or personal attacks, you can think what you want about me, but I am not on some power trip. If you were in my position, you might do the same thing.

        1. This would be great if you can keep to it. We have read this before. It seems to me that you and Mark are now the biggest offenders that are left here. It is easy enough to say ‘I disagree with your opinion’ rather than’ you are a Moron’. But I guess that’s not as much fun. Other than that, this is a great site.

          1. I definitely am going to stick with it. I will be the first to admit the sometimes I have a real short fuse and I let it get the better of me. The site is Mark’s, so I have no control over what Mark might say. All I can control is what I do and say. I am making an effort to keep things civil.

    1. I think about right after the time he was sent back down there was a blurb on Yahoo sports saying he was not going to be considered for the postseason roster. Of course, that can change.

  29. You mean Mark can’t call me a moron anymore? It’s just nice to have someone else pick on me besides my wife!

  30. OKC beat Round Rock 8-3. Hurt started and went 4 innings giving up one run and striking out 8. He also walked 3. OKC jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but by the 6th it was 4-3. Round Rock scored 2 runs, 1 earned off of Tyson Miller, who ended up getting the win. Feduccia’s homer in the bottom of the 6th made it 5-3, then the Dodgers scored 3 in the bottom of the 7th to end the scoring. Hudson, Vanasco and Suero each finished up with a scoreless inning. Avans was the offensive star going 4-4 with 3 driven in. Yonny Hernandez was the only other player with more than 1 hit. Vargas did not play and Busch was 1-5. Game two is tomorrow night.

  31. I had assumed that the Dodgers have been grooming Hurt for the bullpen, but perhaps he’ll be in the mix for the rotation in the Spring. An injury–always a possibility–could put Hurt on the postseason roster.
    We know Miller will be in the rotation next season, and Buehler will be back. Pepiot seems likely. Could Sheehan and Hurt round out the five? Not a lefty among them, but I like the talent. (And this list doesn’t include Knack or Frasso or River Ryan, who all seem close to ready.)
    Certainly, I hope Kershaw comes back, but not counting on it. Yarbrough is the proverbial crafty southpaw, but he may be more useful as a long reliever/spot starter.
    Maddux Bruns Is a power lefty, and he’s been getting raves lately–but still seems another year or two away.

    1. Locks for next season would be Miller, and Buehler, Pepiot was already supposed to be part of this year’s rotation until he got hurt. Lynn has an option that they may or may not pick up. But the system is deep in RH arms. Frasso, Stone, Hurt, Knack, Rooney is a lefty. River Ryan. All those guys are at AAA. Nastrini is at AA along with Casparious, Ortiz-Mayr and Kendall Williams. Of course, the wild card is Kershaw. Until they know exactly what Kersh plans on doing, they will work the fringes of the rotation. We do know that May and Gonsolin are not going to be factors. I think they might make a push for the Japanese free agent, Yamamoto.

Comments are closed.