The Braves have finally announced their NLDS roster:
#Braves NLDS roster: OFs: Acuña, Adams, Inciarte, Markakis; INFs: Albies, Camargo, Culberson, Duda, Flaherty, Freeman; Catchers Flowers, Rivera, Suzuki; PITCHERS: Brach, Folty, Fried, Gausman, Minter, Newcomb, Sanchez, Sobotka, Teheran, Toussaint, Venters, Vizcaino.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) October 4, 2018
A few takeaways here:
-As expected, Dansby Swanson is not on the roster. This is likely why Ryan Flaherty got a spot.
-The Braves carried all six starters from the year’s end. Expect anyone to go in at any given time in this series.
-The Braves carried three catchers. While some may be surprised by this, by having Rivera on the roster it allows Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki to be used in pinch-hit situations, which is essential given the Dodgers high powered offense and given that they will have to start their best bench bat in Charlie Culberson in the wake of Swanson’s absence.
-The Braves are riding out the hot streak of Chad Sobotka, who was exceptional to end the season.
-No Sam Freeman, guys. Though he was much improved to end the season, he has been left off the roster.
-Jesse Biddle and Shane Carle are other relievers of importance that have been left off the roster.