Ron Washington finally released his ALDS roster on Friday morning, just hours before C.J. Wilson and Matt Moore take the mound in Game 1 as the Texas Rangers look to top the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS for the second straight season.
There were no big surprises, but the two smaller ones were that Yoshi Tateyama was left off the roster and Washington decided to carry three catchers, adding Matt Treanor into the Yorvit Torrealba/Mike Napoli mix.
Starting pitchers — C.J. Wilson (LHP), Derek Holland (LHP), Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison (LHP)
Notes: No surprise here. In fact, this is what pretty much everyone expected to see all along. Lewis and Harrison's order hasn't been determined yet, but we know Holland will be the Game 2 starter at home.
Relief pitchers — Scott Feldman, Alexi Ogando, Darren Oliver (LHP), Mike Gonzalez (LHP), Koji Uehara, Mike Adams, Neftali Feliz
Notes: The only small surprise here is that there's no Yoshi Tateyama, who was seemingly replaced by Alexi Ogando, who could play a big role as a seventh-inning guy after his breakout season as a starter. Feliz has overcome a bad start to the season to have a really fine year. In his last 10 games, he's allowed 7 hits and two runs (both in one game). The additon of Adams at the trade deadline really seemed to settle him down.
Outfield — David Murphy, Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Craig Gentry, Endy Chavez
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Notes: If Nelson Cruz can get hot and join the rest of his teammates, look out. Chavez and particularly Gentry add a new element that the Rangers didn't have last season — sick speed on the bases for pinch-running situations. Also, they both have very capable bats off the bench.
Infield — Adrian Beltre, Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Mitch Moreland, Esteban German
Notes: Kinsler quietly had a near-career season with his only knock being the batting average. In the leadoff spot, he makes pitchers sweat immediately having to face a 30-30 guy. Moreland won't be starting but will be a good guy to have off the bench as either a defensive replacement or as a pinch hitter.
Catchers — Mike Napoli, Yorvit Torrealba, Matt Treanor
Notes: Treanor probably won't play unless something goes wrong, but it's good to have him on the roster so Napoli can play first base or DH and Torrealba can catch. There hasn't been a better hitter in baseball since the all-star break than Napoli.
