Predicting the ALCS Roster

With the Blue Jays set to play in the ALCS for the second year in a row against the Clevelanders, I will try to predict who will be on that roster.

Starting Pitchers

Marco Estrada
J.A. Happ
Marcus Stroman
Aaron Sanchez

This is a set with Marco Estrada pitching game one and Aaron Sanchez likely pitching game four, and will be his only start of the ALCS according to manager John Gibbons. These four have been very good to this point of the playoffs.

Relief Pitchers

Roberto Osuna
Brett Cecil
Jason Grilli
Joe Biagini
Ryan Tepera
Scott Feldman
Aaron Loup*

The Jays bullpen has been shaky and unfortunately for the Jays, Joaquin Benoit won't be available for Toronto. The good news is Francisco Liriano will most likely be back and activated for Game 2 and will take Loup's spot. The bullpen is a bit shaky and Gibbons may have to get Feldman and Tepera into games to save Osuna. The only question is 'would you rather have Danny Barnes than Scott Feldman?'

Catchers

Russell Martin
Dioner Navarro

No surprise here as the Jays will continue to use Martin and Navarro and with no Dickey on the roster Josh Thole continue's to watch from the sidelines.

First Base

Edwin Encarnacion
Justin Smoak

Edwin has been as hot as it gets. Smoak gives Gibbons a switch hitter off the bench.

Second Base

Devon Travis
Darwin Barney

Travis and Gibbons say he is healthy and good to go and if he is no reason why he wouldn't be on the roster. Barney has just been on the roster all year and will continue to be on it. Goins might make the roster if the Jays are worried about about Travis. If there are doubts on Travis, Goins could take Pompey's spot.

Shortstop

Troy Tulowitzki

Tulowitzki has been hot in the playoffs after a rather average September. Tulo's bat will continue to play an important role for this Jays offence.

Third Base

Josh Donaldson

Donaldson has been dealing with a nagging hip injury but is playing great.

Outfield

Jose Bautista
Kevin Pillar
Ezequiel Carrera
Michael Saunders
Melvin Upton Jr.
Dalton Pompey

One change to this roster from the ALDS and that is Dalton Pompey being part of the roster. Pompey adds that base stealing threat off the bench. Pompey gets added if Travis and Liriano are healthy (Liriano would be activated for Game 2, after his 7 days on the concussion list is over). If one of them weren't the Jays would have used this roster spot on Goins or a another reliever.