Here it is: the roster of 25 guys who can play in the NLCS, which starts tonight at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Cubs opted to go with all five of their starting pitchers once again (I think it was more expected this time around, given the lengthy, pitching-heavy NLDS), six other relievers, and fourteen position players. Same numbers as last time.
But there has been one notable change: Justin Wilson has been dropped from the Cubs NLCS roster and Hector Rondon has been added. Dropping Wilson is a pretty big disappointment, given what he could’ve meant to this Cubs team, but I think two things are pretty clear: 1. his struggles in the second half are real and mostly on-going and 2. he probably doesn’t have the trust of Joe Maddon.
And without a particularly intruiging matchup opportunity like the NLDS (Bryce Harper was 0-6 with 3Ks against Wilson), the Cubs elected to go with their former closer. Hopefully, Rondon’s strong finish (0.00 ERA, 0.49 FIP since August 27) carries right into October and the Cubs gain another high-leverage late-inning arm.
Pitchers (11):
Carl Edwards Jr.
Kyle Hendricks
Brian Duensing
Jon Lester
Mike Montgomery
John Lackey
Pedro Strop
Jake Arrieta
Hector Rondon
Jose Quintana
Wade Davis
Position Players (14):
Tommy La Stella
Albert Almora Jr.
Ian Happ
Javier Baez
Kyle Schwarber
Alex Avila
Kris Bryant
Ben Zobrist
Jason Heyward
Leonys Martin
Addison Russell
Jon Jay
Willson Contreras
Anthony Rizzo
And after being reported earlier, this is now officially official:
Tonight's #NLCS Game 1 starter: @jose_quintana24 #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/4nbgYg8tnw
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 14, 2017
