Red Sox reveal roster for ALDS vs. Yankees

BOSTON -- All season long, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has relied on his entire roster, and not just his considerable cast of stars. The American League Division Series against the Yankees will be similar, as Cora will keep everyone involved by utilizing the best matchups be it in the starting lineups or in-game adjustments.
The Red Sox will carry all three of their catchers (Sandy León, Blake Swihart and Christian Vázquez). This will allow Cora to be aggressive when it comes to pinch-hitting and pinch-running.
As has been their custom in recent years in the ALDS, Boston went with 11 pitchers and 14 position players.
The only spots that had been under question in recent days were the final two relievers. Righties Joe Kelly and Brandon Workman won those positions, beating out righty Heath Hembree and lefty Bobby Poyner.
:: ALDS schedule and results ::
If the Red Sox are fortunate enough to beat the Yankees in this series, they can submit a new roster for the ALCS. Here is a look at Cora's 25-man unit for the Division Series.
Starting pitchers
The only question here was who would draw the Game 4 start behind the big three of Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello. The answer is hard-throwing Nathan Eovaldi, who fired 16 shutout innings against the Yankees over the final two months of the regular season. Eovaldi will be available in relief in Game 1. Game 4 (if necessary) would be played Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Relievers
Though Kelly had a wildly inconsistent season and a disappointing final month, his strength is keeping the ball in the ballpark, which is important against a team that set an all-time record for homers in a season. Kelly was effective against lefties, holding them to a .211 average and a .610 OPS. Look for Kelly to mainly be used as a matchup pitcher, coming on to face just a batter or two at a time. Workman is the only pitcher on the entire team who has won a World Series, and he recorded some big outs for Boston back in that '13 postseason. The righty notched a 3.27 ERA this season and held opponents to a .230 average.
One notable omission is Hembree, whose recent struggles with the long ball -- a prime concern against the Yankees -- ended up being enough to keep him off. He allowed five homers in 14 2/3 innings after August 1.
"He was doing a good job throughout the season but at the end, it didn't work out," Cora said before Game 1. "Actually, he wasn't keeping the ball in the ballpark which is the No. 1 goal against these guys. You've got to keep the ball in the ballpark. He struggled with his slider, his off-speed pitches and he paid the price."
Catchers
Why three catchers? A big reason is that the front three starters all prefer throwing to Leon, but he is light hitting to say the least. Leon comes into the postseason with just two hits in his final 40 at-bats. By having two backups, Cora can go to the bench as early as he needs to. Swihart has the most upside offensively of the three catchers, though he had just a .613 OPS in 192 at-bats. What Swihart does offer the Red Sox is speed and versatility. Don't be surprised to see him used as a pinch-runner. Swihart can also play first base and the corner outfield. Vazquez has had a disappointing season, but possesses a strong arm.

Infielders
Aside from shortstop Xander Bogaerts, this is another area of the team in which Cora will go to his bench often. Expect Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce to effectively form a left-right platoon at first. That could change, however, if Moreland continues to slump. Ian Kinsler will get most of the reps at second base, but Brock Holt could also see some time against righties. Holt was one of Boston's best hitters down the stretch, and he's also a candidate to start games at first and third. Eduardo Núñez and Rafael Devers are the other options Cora has at third, and they will both be used at times. At least going into the playoffs, there is no clear starter at the hot corner.

Outfielders
Without question, the strength of the team. There were no roster dilemmas here. Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts should play just about every inning in the outfield. However, there could be times when Cora pinch-hits for Bradley against a tough lefty. Slugger J.D. Martinez will primarily be used at DH, though he is an option in left or right if the need ever arises.
Here is the complete roster:
PITCHERS (11)
Matt Barnes
Ryan Brasier
Nathan Eovaldi
Joe Kelly
Craig Kimbrel
Rick Porcello
David Price
Eduardo Rodriguez
Chris Sale
Brandon Workman
Steven Wright
CATCHERS (3)
Sandy Leon
Blake Swihart
Christian Vazquez
INFIELDERS (7)
Xander Bogaerts
Rafael Devers
Brock Holt
Ian Kinsler
Mitch Moreland
Eduardo Nunez
Steve Pearce
OUTFIELDERS (4)
Andrew Benintendi
Mookie Betts
Jackie Bradley Jr.
J.D. Martinez