The two No. 1 seeds in their respective leagues, the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels, have yet to announce their postseason rotations, but as of right now it looks evident as to who their starters will be when their playoff series start later this week.
The Nationals will host the winner of Wednesday's NL Wild Card matchup between the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, October 3. The team said they would announce their postseason rotation after the result of the Wild Card game, but it's pretty clear who manager Matt Williams will move to the bullpen. It's definite that Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister will be three of the four postseason starters.
And it looks like Gio Gonzalez will be the last one, with Tanner Roark moving to the bullpen. After his final start on September 23 against the Mets, Roark worked out in the bullpen and was not used in the final six games of the season. He's had a phenomenal first full year in the majors as a starter, posting a 15-10 record with a 2.85 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 31 starts. However, he's already eclipsed his career-high in innings pitched by over 30 and the team probably wants a lefty (Gonzalez) in the rotation, which leaves Roark as the odd man out. Washington is set with lefties in the bullpen (Ross Detwiler, Matt Thornton and likely Jerry Blevins), so sending Gonzalez in there will have little effect.
"Obviously, we don't know the rotation -- yet. We'll just wait and see," said Roark, in this MLB.com article. "If I'm starting, that's great. If I'm in the bullpen, I'm fine with that, too. Anything to help out the team. Every time I get on the mound, I'll attack the zone, pitch inside."
As for the top team in the American League, the Los Angeles Angels are working to get injured starter Matt Shoemaker ready for the playoffs, or else their rotation will be a big question mark. Jered Weaver is seemingly the only reliable option with C.J. Wilson being largely inconsistent this year (although he'll be starting Game 2 of the ALDS) and Hector Santiago having a rough September. Garrett Richards was expected to put the pitching staff over the edge in the postseason, but he was lost for the year in August with a torn patellar tendon.
Los Angeles is desperate for Shoemaker's presence in the postseason. The right-hander has had a successful first full year in 2014, compiling a 16-4 record with a 3.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 27 total appearances (20 starts). However, he suffered a left oblique strain in mid-September and his availability for the postseason has been vague. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported that Shoemaker threw 30-40 pitches in a successful bullpen session on Sunday, which could mean he's closer to being able to pitch in Game 3 of the ALDS. If the Angels want to use a three-man rotation as they've expressed, they're going to need to get Shoemaker back as soon as possible. If not, they have Santiago, Cory Rasmus and Wade LeBlanc who can provide "spot starts" to be followed up by their strong bullpen.
The MLB playoffs start tonight when the Kansas City Royals host the Oakland Athletics in the AL Wild Card game.
