NLDS Preview: Predicting the Braves Playoff Roster

As the Braves prepare to take on the Phillies in a rematch of the last NLDS, the front office is debating which players to keep on the roster and which to leave off.

While some decisions are already made because of injuries, with Charlie Morton and Jackson Stephens ineligible for the NLDS roster, others will likely be decided in the 11th hour.

Will Bryce Elder make the roster? Will Max Fried's blisters be an issue? Is a rookie going to be starting in the playoffs for the Braves? We take our best guesses below.

Predicting the Braves' playoff roster in the NLDS

Just missed the cut

At least two Braves who were on the Braves roster during the final day of the regular season will not be on the roster in the NLDS. MLB plays with an expanded roster of 28 players after September 1 but shrinks it back to 26 for the postseason.

Luke Williams is one Brave who will not be on the playoff roster. Even though the 27-year-old spent the entire final month of the season with the big league club, he only appeared in seven games and got nine PAs. He did not reach base in a Braves uniform. His biggest strength, speed, is likely redundant, as Atlanta will probably take the player who had 57 steals between Gwinnett and Atlanta this year.

Collin McHugh also just misses the cut. The righty was a big part of the 2022 team but has been highly ineffective this year.

Michael Tonkin played a huge role in the Braves bullpen this year as a long reliever, but his ineffectiveness down the stretch, coupled with three off days in the five-game series makes his role obsolete for the Braves' first-round.

If Max Fried is not able to start in the NLDS, Allan Winans will be the guy who takes his spot. Unfortunately, there isn't room for him otherwise.

Chadwick Tromp is an option if the Braves want to carry a third catcher. However, Atlanta hasn't carried an extra catcher since 2019, when Brian McCann, Tyler Flowers, and Francisco Cervelli (yes, he did play for the Braves) were all on the roster.

The Braves will only take 12 pitchers

Thanks to the off days, the Braves won't need four starters. They also won't need to worry about taxing the back part of the bullpen. Because of this, the team doesn't need a long reliever like Michael Tonkin in case of emergency. Kyle Wright is fully capable of eating innings, as is AJ Smith Shawver.

Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Bryce Elder will be the team's starting pitching for the first round.

Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Pierce Johnson, and Joe Jimenez will take care of the high leverage relief innings, while Jesse Chavez, Kyle Wright, Kirby Yates, Brad Hand, and AJ Smith-Shawver will take care of the rest.

A Kyle Wright/AJ Smith-Shawver piggyback start also isn't out of the question.

Starting pitchers: Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Bryce Elder (3)

Relievers: Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Pierce Johnson, Joe Jimenez, Jesse Chavez, Kyle Wright, Kirby Yates, Brad Hand, AJ Smith-Shawver (9)

Total pitchers: 12