While we don't know the Tigers position player roster yet, it's a good bet after Verlander the A's will see Scherzer, Fister, and Porcello. So, how should the A's construct their roster to best face them?
Here is *My* A's probably ALDS roster:
(Edit: it looks like Straily will be off the roster. So, Carter is in)
PP:
Moss
Gomes
Pennington
Drew
Donaldson
Norris
Kotteras
Cespedes
Reddick
Crisp
Rosales
Smith
+ Carter
SP:
Parker (Game 1)
Anderson (Game 2)
Milone (Game 3)
Straily Griffin (Game 4)
RP:
Blackley
Scribner
Cook
Balfour
Doolittle
Griffin
Blevins
Miller
Figueroa
The one noticeable absence is Chris Carter. Given that the A's aren't going to face any lefty starters (and Gomes is also available when he's not starting himself), and that his defense is relatively suspect, I just don't see a place on the roster.
Carter is the next obvious choice over Weeks or Cowgill, who I'd say are 26th and 27th men here.
Also, my bullpen has A.J. Griffin in it (rather than Dan Straily or Tyson Ross). I figure if any starter gets injured or is completely ineffective, it would be good to have two guys in there who can give 3-5 decent innings and save Cook, Balfour, and Doolittle for the next day. Pedro Figueroa could also fill that role, but I'd rather have him as the LOOGY late in the game.
What is your roster? (If I find a probable DET roster, I'll be posting it here, too).