The Astros announced their 26-man roster for the World Series. As previously announced, Justin Verlander will be the starting pitcher for Game 1 tonight against the Phillies.
Veteran left-hander Will Smith joins the roster, taking the place of right-hander Seth Martinez. This is the first time Smith has been included in Houston’s playoff run, while Martinez was on the roster for the ALCS but didn’t pitch during the Astros’ four-game sweep of the Yankees. Smith hasn’t pitched in a game since October 4, in Houston’s second-last outing of the regular season (by coincidence, that game was also against the Phillies).
Though there is a natural risk of rust after a pretty lengthy layoff for Smith, he also brings plenty of postseason experience, including a ring just last year with the Braves. The southpaw was a force for Atlanta throughout the playoffs, throwing 11 innings over 11 games without allowing a single run. As MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart tweets, Smith also has a strong track record against Philadelphia’s left-handed batters — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, and Bryson Stott are a collective 2-for-20 against Smith. Harper has the only two hits over his 14 at-bats against Smith, and since Harper has been on a tear throughout the playoffs, the Astros seem to be eyeing Smith as a way of trying to neutralize the NLCS MVP.
Right-Handed Pitchers
- Bryan Abreu
- Hunter Brown
- Luis Garcia
- Cristian Javier
- Lance McCullers Jr.
- Rafael Montero
- Héctor Neris
- Ryan Pressly
- Ryne Stanek
- José Urquidy
- Justin Verlander (Game 1 starter)
Left-Handed Pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
- Jose Altuve
- Alex Bregman
- Aledmys Díaz
- Mauricio Dubón
- Yuli Gurriel
- David Hensley
- Trey Mancini
- Jeremy Peña
Outfielders
Ghost Pepper
Hope it goes 7!
Rocker49
Go Astros!!! Should be a fun series to watch! Just glad Los Karens aren’t in it.
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Rocker, So glad your little “Los Karens” moniker is taking flight. Seems to be a big hit…Can you explain it one day?
Latino Heat
Shocked Will Smith got added. I get he was better towards the end of the year and he’s a lefty but Seth Martinez seemed like the better choice.
bucsfan0004
Who was removed for Smith?
Rocker49
Jake Myers last series and this one.
steven st croix
*Seth Martinez
Longball
Selfishly, I was hoping there would be an oversight, and Verlander, Valdez, Bregman, Altuve and Pena would be inadvertently left off.
Oh well, Phils in 6
Latino Heat
You must be drunk to think any of them would be left off. Phillies will be lucky if they win 2 games Astros in 5
myaccount2
You really didn’t detect the sarcasm, Heat? Jeez
Latino Heat
You forgot the sarcasm font. Fail on your end
myaccount2
I’m not the original commenter. Fail on your end.
Latino Heat
But you called me out on it so fail back on your end
myaccount2
I pointed out your mistake so it’s my fail? Love the logic! Lol
Latino Heat
Hey guy you take it too serious relax a little
myaccount2
I like how you think I’m not relaxed in a comment in which I typed “lol.” I just prefer better trolling and less weirdness.
Latino Heat
It’s a joke man lighten up
myaccount2
Mine was a joke, too, man. Fail on your end.
Latino Heat
All good buddy keep up the joking!
myaccount2
I’m glad you’ve lightened up! Now to see if the Phillies will be lucky to win one more game!
Latino Heat
Good luck to the Phil’s. Probably my last season watching mlb, I’m not a big fan of the rule changes. The shift banning is really killing the game for me
SliderWithCheese
I’ve made my World Series prediction, however you’re not entitled to it.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Slider is playing coy because his interns have not yet printed out the report with the outcome.
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He doesn’t have time for such trivial things…A man as rich as him, time truly IS $$$! He has models place his bets with baseball bags stuffed with cold hard cash though he has never admitted it directly..
Latino Heat
Dudes not rich. He lives in his moms basement getting interviewed by his basement stairs
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Come on now Slider….At least give us what you got on Game 1…None of us can move the line/spread at this point…
SliderWithCheese
I’m going with the Phillies in game one. Might be a tight game, but I predict they pull it out in extras.
Latino Heat
Wow saying that the day after soooo smart
Ghost Pepper
Who you got , Cheese? The suspension is killing me!
Latino Heat
He’s still crying about the Yankees he needs a few more weeks
SliderWithCheese
You take away Houston’s 5-o game against the Yankees where that idiot Bader and circus freak Judge gave them free runs, Houston’s largest margin of victory this postseason has been two. They barely squeaked by Seattle and the Yankees had their food poisoned while in Texas by a lunatic hotel chef so understandably they were not at their best.
Meanwhile the Phillies embarrassed St Louis (although any team could have), steamrolled Atlanta and then dismantled the Padres.
As I said in the interview with ESPN this morning, the parade will be in Philadelphia.
Latino Heat
Just keep whining and liking your own posts. All “you” said to espn. That delusional huh your basement stairs go by the name espn now ?
SliderWithCheese
My attorneys have advised me not to engage with you until the charges brought against you are resolved.
Latino Heat
You mean your mom when you went and cried to her about how I put you in your place yet again? Must be nice living in such a delusional world where everything is rainbows and unicorns. Here in the real world we laugh at people like you
SliderWithCheese
So not only are you racist, but using rainbows and unicorns in a derogatory fashion shows you’re homophobic. You’ve been reported.
Latino Heat
Who’s racist ? Show me one time I’ve been racist on this site. Oh what’s that you can’t because this is just another one of your delusional. How’s that lawsuit against me working out? Oh delusion isn’t a cause for suing?? So sad
At least you’re consistent in liking your own posts I’ll give you that
positively_broad_st
Hector Neris pitching in Philly again could get interesting…
madmanTX
Trash can batting 4th?
coupofthecentury
Let’s just hope a Nelson Cruz-type of fielder is not in RF when the game is on the line.
Latino Heat
Astros living rent free in this losers head
Rocker49
I don’t think Beltran is playing anymore. Although he did work in the NY booth all season helping Judge and the yankees. Might check there.
Bobby Mongan
Jacked that Trey Mancini is in his first World Series.
Latino Heat
He should be relegated to PH only. He doesn’t have a hit in the playoffs
Zerbs63
They forgot to put cameras, buzzers, and trash cans on the roster.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Wait until the inning that Will Smith and Brad Hand both pitch. The trash cans and buzzers won’t be needed.
Fred McGriff HR
Although I do not doubt the prognostications of the learned posters on MLBTR, and what may happen when Will Smith pitches – as he hasn’t pitched for 3 weeks, although to some here that isn’t a disadvantage ‘as rest is good’ according to those ‘experts’, Will Smith has an ERA of 0.00 in World Series, and a post season ERA of 1.47 in total. Although he’ll be disadvantaged not having played, his post season record is magnificent.
Rocker49
They left for NY with Beltran, check there moron.
geoffb1982
I’m just here to say screw John Fisher and Billy Beane for making my A’s a T-Ball team!
jaybest
outfield better stay healthy. i guess Mancini could play outfield if needed.
Latino Heat
Mancini is garbage. Him and Diaz shouldn’t see another plate appearance this whole World Series. Why does dusty refuse to play David Hensley who actually looked good in his brief playing time
SliderWithCheese
Verlander will be lucky to sign a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training..He makes Kershaw look like Mr October. No contending team will touch that choker.
Latino Heat
Another horrible take but that’s what I expect from you. Verlander will win the AL Cy Young then go on to sign for probably 40+ million a year
thunderecho
Astros World Series Record:
4-10 at home
7-5 on the road
Phillies are a juggernaut in the playoffs. Only way I see the Astros winning this series is if they play on the road against the Phillies like they did against the Dodgers in 2017.
Really like the Phillies hitting approach.