A few questions concerning line-ups, from someone who didn’t pay a lot of attention to either team. Why Coughlan (is Hayward just going to be a defensive sub, going forward)? Is Soler the regular LFer? Is Zobrist no longer the regular 2nd baseman? Is it now Baez’ job? Is Montero below Ross on the depth chart?
For Cleveland: I thought Naquin was their everday starter now? Is that not true? And who is their backup catcher?
Thanks.
Heyward hasn’t hit all year, though he’s the regular gold glove RF. If Coughlan is starting, Maddon’s probably looking for more offense.
Baez is the 2B of the future. Since he’s been hot, need to keep him in the lineup. He’s proving to be probably an all-star 2B offensively and defensively.
Zobrist becomes the super utility guy. He was picked up for that role anyway and ended up being a starter until the young guys like Baez proved themselves. There is no regular left fielder. Schwarber was being groomed for that as well as Bryant. But Bryant has stayed solid at 3B, and Schwarber got hurt so Zobrist is the choice. He has been hot hitting all year, so he won’t come out of the lineup.
Ross is Lester’s personal catcher so he will catch when Lester pitches. Wilson Contreras is the catcher of the future whose performance this season is pushing Montero down in the depth chart (he’s aged anyway). And Ross is retiring. So catchers should be Contreras and Montero next year in that order unless Montero also retires.