The Playoff Roster

As Lou reviews his options for the post-season roster, so will we. One thing to remember here is that playoff teams don't usually carry the same number of pitchers on their playoff rosters, because the off-days allow relievers to rest.

Not Worthy of Comment (because they're on the Team)

Geovany Soto
Derrek Lee
Mark DeRosa
Ryan Theriot
Aramis Ramirez
Alfonso Soriano
Reed Johnson
Jim Edmonds

Carlos Zambrano
Ryan Dempster
Rich Harden
Ted Lilly
Carlos Marmol
Kerry Wood

On the Team, but Worthy of a little discussion

Henry Blanco-Lou can rely on Hank White to be able to play at a moment's notice, which will be a big plus in the playoffs. Koyie Hill got PT last night, but that's just because there was no point in potentially injuring both of the Cubs playoff catchers.

Mike Fontenot-Lil' Mikey gives Lou a left-handed bat, whether coming off the bench or maybe as a starting 2-sack against a rightie with DeRo in the OF. He's only hitting .219 in the pinch, but has some pop in his bat that seems to arrive in big moments.

Ronny Cedeno-Cedeno gives Lou some flexibility, being able to play 2B and SS, and is the emergency 3B. He gives Lou a little speed (4 SB's), but is only 4 for 21 as a pinch hitter this year.
Kosuke Fukudome-There was some thought a few weeks ago that Fuku wouldn't make the playoff roster, thanks in large part to a .219 batting average after the All-Star break. But the Cubs best defensive RF will be on the team, because of his defense and his speed. The playoffs usually favor the team's with better pitching and defense, so it will be crucial for Fuku to log some PT.

Daryle Ward-Ward's main role on this team is as a pinch hitter. Unfortunately, he's hitting .157 in that role this year. Despite that, he's a left-handed bat off the bench who has two pinch hit HR's. Ward also provides some post-season experience that is largely missing among the Cubs reserves, as he gets ready for his 4th post-season.

Neal Cotts-Does anyone else find it weird that Cotts went from a AAA afterthought to the Cubs primary left-handed specialist? After a great July, Cotts has cooled in August and September, but with few other options, Cotts will make the team. The one ray of hope is that Cotts pitches better at night (3.29 ERA), so hopefully that will mean good things for him.

Fighting for the Last Positional Spot?

Lou has said that he is leaning toward carrying only 11 pitchers, instead of 12, opening the door for a September Call-up position player to make the team.

Micah Hoffpauir-It's easy to understand why Lou would want Hoff on the team; the guy can mash. He would give Lou another left-handed option off the bench. But Hoffpauir has only hit .182 as a pinch hitter and is only hitting .176 since he was recalled in September. He also provides little to the team defensively, so his role would essentially be the same as Ward.

Felix Pie-People who read this blog religiously (and I'm sure there are thousands of you) will know that I am one of the few fans who hasn't soured on Pie. I think that he'll still be a great player. But I will reign in my thoughts, because this is only about whether he'll play in October. Pie brings speed and defense to the table. The opposite of Hoffpauir, Pie is actually hitting .357 since returning to the club in September.

Analysis-I was not convinced Lou would grab another bat, until I looked at his bullpen options. Now I think he will, and I think it's Pie. While no one off the bench will have the thunder potential of Hoffpauir, Ward and Fontenot have some left-handed power. Pie has the pure speed that is so useful when every run is important and can be a defensive replacement.

Fighting to Join the Pen

If I've counted correctly, there are 4-5 spots available in the 'pen, depending on whether Lou picks another bench player.

Bob Howry-You'd rather go with experience when it comes playoff time, but Howry's performance has made it difficult. He has an ugly 8.31 ERA in 6 appearances in September and a 6.85 ERA overall since the All Star Break. Unlike Cotts, Howry is much worse at night (7.34 ERA).

Jason Marquis-If Marquis doesn't make the team, the talk will be about how it's his third straight season not making the post-season roster. But Marquis has pitched slightly better than last year and more importantly, has pitched a lot better in the second half. Marquis adds value in that if the game goes into extras, he can come in "off the bench," as we all saw his hitting prowess last night. He can also pinch-run if needed.

Jeff Samardzija-Samardzija did a lot to get the team to where it is. He didn't allow a run in the month of August over 13 appearances. But he's given up 4 earned runs in 6 and 2/3 innings in September and you have to wonder if he's starting to run out of steam after throwing nearly 140 innings in his second year of professional baseball. Lou said he was impressed with his two scoreless innings he threw on Sunday.

Chad Gaudin-Gaudin would be a useful middle reliever, but is just coming back from a sore back. He seems to be well-liked by Lou, who wanted him to get as many innings as possible this week. His position may come down to whether he is healthy and can log some quality innings.

Sean Marshall-The best reason to bring Marshall into the fold is his handedness. He is the only viable candidate other than Cotts to come out of the Cubs 'pen as a leftie. Marshall has been solid as a reliever with an ERA of 2.81. He also brings the ability to pitch in long-relief, if one of the right handed starters gets roughed up early. He'll be on display tonight in a spot start.

Randy Wells-Wells wouldn't be on the list, except his numbers are too good to ignore. He has pitched 4 and 1/3 over 3 appearances and has yet to allow a hit. He's walked a batter in two of his three outings, but other than that, no one has reached base. Lou has used him in 3 of the Cubs last 6 games. Wells could be this year's Kevin Hart.

Analysis-I think Lou goes with 4 (after taking Pie); Marquis, Howry, Marshall, and Samardzija. Marquis has had a better end of the year than he did the last two years, and Lou loves his athleticism that goes beyond his pitching ability. Howry will get the call because he has the experience; there are a number of youngsters who will need to a calming presence in the 'pen. Howry may not see much action, however. Despite Samardzija's recent struggles, he is the third best reliever on the team. Lou and Larry will carefully monitor him to make sure he isn't weating down. Marshall's relief numbers jumped out at me, plus he has the ability to pitch long relief and gives Lou another option in the 'pen. Gaudin's long layoff will make it difficult to call on him and while Wells has had a nice short run, he hasn't shown enough to warrant a post-season roster spot.

Pack Your Bags (no chance of playing in October)

Angel Guzman-Guzman has only pitched 4 times since coming off the 60 day D.L. as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery. He has a 9.53 ERA. He is getting some decent experience with the club, but the Cubs are more concerned with him coming back healthy next year.

Michael Wuertz-Wuertz found his way into Lou's doghouse in early July and has yet to recover. His 6.23 ERA this month isn't helping him. He's an odd case, as he only allowed a total of 4 earned runs in 20 appearances in May and June, but has fallen apart since then. With a significant number of other options, Wuertz isn't likely to get the call.

Kevin Hart-Hart has only pitched 3 times since being recalled, so I don't think Lou is going to magically decide he's one of the best 25. Hart was always the last man in the pen for Lou when he was with the Cubs before the rosters expanded, and it doesn't seem like much has changed. Hart has walked 17 batters in 23 and 1/3 innings with the Big Club.

Casey McGehee-McGehee was a long shot to get called up, and he has no shot of making the post-season roster. He's only had 9 big league AB's.Towel Drills: A Chicago Cubs Blog www.toweldrills.com