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NLDS Roster Takes Shape


Official word isn't out yet, but Todd Zolecki and David Murphy, among others, have the scoop.

Kyle Kendrick, Miguel Cairo, and Antonio Bastardo are a couple of the surprise inclusions.  Surprise omissions include Tyler Walker, Clay Condrey, and Eric Bruntlett.

With that bit of info, it's looking like the roster shapes up like this:

Pitchers
Cliff Lee
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
J.A. Happ

Brad Lidge
Ryan Madson
Brett Myers
Scott Eyre
Chad Durbin
Antonio Bastardo
Kyle Kendrick
Pedro Martinez

Hitters
Carlos Ruiz
Ryan Howard
Chase Utley
Jimmy Rollins
Pedro Feliz
Raul Ibanez
Shane Victorino
Jayson Werth

Paul Bako
Miguel Cairo
Greg Dobbs
Matt Stairs
Ben Francisco

My gut reaction?  I applaud the organization for placing faith in Bastardo, since a second lefty will almost surely be necessary against the lefty-heavy lineup the Rockies have.  I'm also pleasantly surprised by the exclusion of Bruntlett -- his wet noodle bat (171/.224/.238) would have been a liability off the bench, a fact that no amount of value as a pinch runner or utilityman could camouflage.  I'm lukewarm on the inclusion of Kendrick in place of  Walker -- Walker misses more bats and isn't quite as susceptible to left-handed hitters -- and I generally think keeping 12 pitchers on the postseason roster is a waste, but all things considered, I think the Phils have done a nice job here.

What do you guys think?