If it ain’t broke, don’t break it.<\/p>\n
The San Diego Padres finalized their 26-man roster for the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday morning. It’s the same group that swept the Chicago Cubs out of the Wild Card round. As a refresher, here’s the full list:<\/p>\n
\u2022 RHP (8): Jason Adam, Walker Buehler, Michael King, Mason Miller, David Morgan, Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Bradgley Rodriguez
\u2022 LHP (3): Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon, Robbie Ray
\u2022 C (3): Luis Campusano, Freddy Fermin, Ethan Salas
\u2022 INF (6): Miguel Andujar, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Ty France, Manny Machado, Gavin Sheets
\u2022 OF (6): Jase Bowen, Dustin Harris, Austin Hays, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., Samad Taylor<\/p>\n
The first thing that stands out is Musgrove’s presence, which is a fantastic sign. Musgrove made an emotional return to the mound after two years in the 9th inning of Game 1 of the Wild Card series. He’s been rehabbing from elbow surgery and had to transition to a bullpen role because he wasn’t recovering as well from longer stints as a starter. The concern was the strain of throwing a playoff inning might set him back but he is obviously at a place where he can pitch consistently at a postseason level of intensity.<\/p>\n
He’ll be a veteran addition to the best bullpen in baseball and, if absolutely necessary, is still stretched out where he can handle four to five innings, and that is important in the playoffs. Extra inning games no longer have the automatic runner at 2nd base so having someone in the ‘pen who can handle a longer outing is vital.<\/p>\n
Once again, 20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas is on the roster. Since he came up on September 1 the Padres have gone 20-6 and his youthful enthusiasm has permeated the entire clubhouse.<\/p>\n