ARLINGTON, Texas — The Braves announced their 28-man roster for the National League Championship Series ahead of Game 1 Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The series is a best-of-seven and won’t include any off days.
There were no changes from the division series roster, when the Braves added young pitchers Huascar Ynoa and Bryse Wilson. Neither Ynoa nor Wilson factored into the NLDS, when the Braves swept the Marlins in three games, but both will likely make their debuts in the longer championship series.
The roster features 15 pitchers and 13 position players. The Braves’ bench includes catcher Tyler Flowers, infielders Pablo Sandoval and Charlie Culberson, and rookie outfielder Cristian Pache.
“We have good (pitching options), guys who can provide a lot of length,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We have versatile guys. As we looked at it, if we were going to start over and recreate this roster, it’d be what it was (in the NLDS).”
The Braves’ NLCS roster as listed by the team:
Pitchers (15): RH Ian Anderson, LH Grant Dayton, LH Max Fried, RH Shane Greene, RH Chris Martin, LH Tyler Matzek, RH Mark Melancon, LH A.J. Minter, RH Darren O’Day, LH Will Smith, RH Josh Tomlin, RH Jacob Webb, RH Bryse Wilson, RH Kyle Wright, RH Huascar Ynoa
Catchers (2): Travis d’Arnaud, Tyler Flowers
Infielders (6): Ozzie Albies, Charlie Culberson, Freddie Freeman, Austin Riley, Pablo Sandoval, Dansby Swanson
Outfielders (5): Ronald Acuna, Adam Duvall, Nick Markakis, Marcell Ozuna, Cristian Pache
Notes from Monday:
- d’Arnaud is expected to start every game this series, Snitker said. The NLCS could potentially span seven consecutive days, but the Braves are going to heavily rely on d’Arnaud, who was their best hitter in the NLDS. He went 6-for-10 with two doubles, two homers and seven RBIs.
“He’s a clean-up hitter,” Snitker said. “He’s going to play them all.”
- Sandoval is available as a third baseman and first baseman, Snitker said. Sandoval has only played one game with the Braves, when he started at third in the regular-season finale, but he’s an experienced bench bat.
“It’s good having a guy with experience and he’s always ready, I know that,” Snitker said. “Late in games I look down there and he’s got his bat and glove in his hand just waiting for you to call his number. He’s been good for our young guys. He’s a lot of energy and works extremely hard and he’s always ready. He’s been through these moments more than once. He has a lot more rings than all of us (Sandoval won three with the Giants).”
- The Dodgers likewise announced their roster Monday morning. It includes 15 pitchers and 13 position players. The roster was released as follows:
Pitchers (15): RHP Pedro Baez, RHP Walker Buehler, RHP Dylan Floro, RHP Tony Gonsolin, LHP Victor Gonzalez, RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Kenley Jansen, RHP Joe Kelly, LHP Clayton Kershaw, LHP Adam Kolarek, RHP Dustin May, LHP Jake McGee, RHP Blake Treinen, LHP Julio Urias, LHP Alex Wood
Position players (13): C Austin Barnes, IF Matt Beaty (L), OF Cody Bellinger (L), OF Mookie Betts, IF/OF Kiké Hernández, IF Max Muncy (L), OF Joc Pederson (L), OF AJ Pollock, IF Edwin Ríos (L), SS Corey Seager (L), C Will Smith, IF/OF Chris Taylor, 3B Justin Turner
