The Rangers and Orioles begin their AL Division Series matchup today in Baltimore, with Texas southpaw Andrew Heaney starting against Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. With Game 1 just a few hours away, the two clubs each announced their full 26-man rosters for the series.
The most prominent omission is John Means, as O’s manager Brandon Hyde told reporters (including Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner) that Means is suffering from some minor elbow soreness. Since Means hadn’t pitched since September 7, he threw a simulated game to keep his arm fresh, but that’s when the soreness developed. As ominous as this sounds for a pitcher who only just returned from Tommy John surgery rehab a few weeks ago, Means is expected to be available should the Orioles advance to the ALCS.
Means posted a 2.66 ERA over 23 2/3 innings in his four starts since rejoining the roster after his lengthy rehab, though a tiny .130 BABIP helped paper over more concerning number. Means’ 6.00 SIERA was far greater than his ERA, and while not a big strikeout pitcher even pre-surgery, the left-hander had only an 11.4% strikeout rate during his return.
There’s less surprise with the Texas roster, as the Rangers are fielding basically the same group who defeated the Rays in the Wild Card Series. Left-hander Cody Bradford is the only newcomer, taking the spot of righty Grant Anderson as Texas is apparently looking for some more reinforcement against Baltimore’s array of left-handed bats.
Max Scherzer didn’t make the roster, as Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (X link) writes that Scherzer isn’t ready for the start of the series, but could emerge by Game 3 in a relief role if an injury vacancy opens up on the Rangers’ roster. Scherzer hasn’t pitched since September 12 due to a teres major strain, but though the injury was thought to be a probable season-ender, the superstar has been diligently strengthening his arm and throwing bullpen sessions.
Grayson Rodriguez will start Game 2 for the Orioles, but with Means out of action, Kyle Gibson and Dean Kremer now step up as the top options to start Game 3 and a possible Game 4. Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi are lined up to start Games 2 and 3 for Texas, and two off-days in the series mean that it would likely be Montgomery against Bradish in a winner-take-all Game 5.
The full rosters…
Rangers
- Right-handed pitchers: Matt Bush, Dane Dunning, Nathan Eovaldi, Jose Leclerc, Josh Sborz, Chris Stratton
- Left-handed pitchers: Cody Bradford, Brock Burke, Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Heaney, Jordan Montgomery, Martin Perez, Will Smith
- Catchers: Mitch Garver, Austin Hedges, Jonah Heim
- Infielders: Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Josh H. Smith
- Outfielders: Evan Carter, Adolis Garcia, Robbie Grossman, Travis Jankowski, Leody Taveras
Orioles
- Right-handed pitchers: Bryan Baker, Kyle Bradish, Yennier Cano, Jack Flaherty, Kyle Gibson, Dean Kremer, Grayson Rodriguez, Jacob Webb, Tyler Wells
- Left-handed pitchers: Danny Coulombe, DL Hall, Cionel Perez
- Catchers: James McCann, Adley Rutschman
- Infielders: Adam Frazier, Gunnar Henderson, Jorge Mateo, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Urias, Jordan Westburg
- Outfielders: Austin Hays, Aaron Hicks, Heston Kjerstad, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander
Not having Means could hurt a bit. Maybe not as much in a 5 game set but still a hit to quality depth.
Especially with Texas being worse vs lefties
Yeah, but with Bochy, that just “Means” Grossman hits 3rd, with Garver on the bench.
Means actually last pitched September 29th not the 7th
He wasn’t even activated until September 12th. Not sure where they got September 7th.
> Not sure where they got September 7th.
They got September 7th by choosing the date immediately after September 6th but before September 8th. All valid and complete calendars include a September 7th. If you are still not sure, check to make sure that a jokester in your house has not removed that date from your calendar(s).
I read that and thought “Wow. That time went by fast”.
O’s in 4
So, who is getting “phantom IL’d” for game 3 so Scherzer can come in? Thry make it sound like it’s a genuine possibility. The Mets, on the other hand…
Cole Irvin should have replaced Means.
No thank you. I really don’t need an image of happy Rangers circling the bases with Irvin on the mound with his head down. He has done nothing to support his inclusion on the roster all season.
Uneasy enough with Gibson being on the roster but hopefully if actually needed he provides one of his serviceable outings (about 70% of his starts) not the get-blown-up outings he does 3 out of 10 times.
Hopefully Means is in fact healthy and back for ALCS if Orioles advance. The guy just gets outs.
Irvin has pitched to a 3.00 ERA with a .651 OPS against in 51 IP since the start of July. He absolutely should have been on the roster and Flaherty should have been left off.
What?!?! Irvin SHOWED UP and SHUT DOWN the Mariners when the O’s needed him most on Felix Induction Day. Irvin has been a solid contributor after being recalled the first time. To say he has done nothing just shows a shocking lack of knowledge.
Although a LH pitcher wound be useful, Cole Irvin is HR prone and the Rangers match up against him favorably.
Exactly. Irvin higher HR rate and Rangers most HR in the AL.
Sorry Omar, you’ve done nothing but spewed vitriol and insults all year while ignoring stats and the obvious. Season’s over, you’re muted.
Floch also disagrees at times but provides stats and backup while never being insulting so will never mute someone like that. Irvin has been better since moved to the bullpen but still have about 8 better options. Given the choice with Flaherty? Geez, both stay home? Maybe trying to justify the midseason mistake move versus the offseason mistake move.
I blocked that psycho a while ago. When people lack the intellectual capacity to respond, they resort to ad-hominem. Ignoring is probably best.
Kjerstad?! I love it! But a tad surprised. John Means going DL allowed him to join Post Season roster I guess (he wasn’t on 40 Sept 1)?.
Kjerstad’s been in the Org so he was always eligible.
This shows my age: In 73, Manny Trillo wasn’t on the A’s roster by September 1. The A’s manager Dick Williams had to ask Mets manager Yogi Berra before the world series if Trillo could participate. Berra said ‘no’. The rules might have changed but, I think there still is a cut off date a player must be on the roster.
Baker was a surprise to me. Hopefully we don’t get to the point where he’s pitching anyway.
They left Fuji off (thankfully!) and went with Baker. Fuji has great stuff but can’t be trusted. He’s collapsed in big moments when given the opportunity. Baker has a much better track record despite some struggles this year, still a better option over Fuji IMO.
I recall some of my fellow O’s fan telling me that Fuji was a lock for this roster with his high octane stuff……
The Rangers pen is much better than their in season individual statistics show.
This will be about who makes the fewest mistakes.
As a Texas fan, I assure you this is not true. 33 blown saves in 63 opportunities may even be understating how bad the bp is.
Some of the rotation fills in those holes
Nice to see Kjerstad make the roster. I could see him having a big series with the big time EVs he has been putting up and the Rangers’ bullpen being a bit shaky.
Did the writer actually watch Means pitch. Great change up led to a ton a first or second pitch outs – created bad swings throughout. Sometimes the eyes actually tell you more than metrics.
He acknowledged his slider command isn’t back yet and that’s his strikeout pitch against lefties. This led to a much higher % of left on left change ups, which generates more contact.
Good question. “Papering over” “concerns” is not at all what Means’ performance showed. He took, what, a no-hitter into the 8th, and then a perfecto into the 5th the next time out?
I don’t thinkTexans would survive losing to OU and Baltimore on the same day.