Red Sox manager John Farrell hates to talk about the playoffs because that’s not putting things in proper order of importance. For him, winning the division and vying for home-field advantage trump the playoffs and possible roster composition.
Yet Farrell did acknowledge at Saturday’s pregame news conference that competition for spots in the starting rotation, the bench, and the bullpen are ongoing.
“That’s going on currently in my mind in every area of our team — and there are some guys stepping up and throwing the ball very well right now. If that point in time comes when we move closer [to the playoffs], you start paying close attention to the hot hand. Roles are being filled whether it’s position players, an extra guy on the bench, bullpen, rotation, it’s being closely watched right now,’’ Farrell said.
Though the competitions are unspoken, “Everyone is well aware we have to take care of the regular season first. But you’re using guys who are pitching well and swinging the bat well. There’s nothing taken for granted and a constant effort to keep the best we have going at it every day.’’
Here’a look at the competition:
The bullpen
Emerging is righthander Austin Maddox. He’s made seven scoreless appearances with the Red Sox after going a combined 2-3 with eight saves in 10 chances for a 2.92 ERA in 49⅓ innings at Portland and Pawtucket. For the Red Sox this season opponents have hit .183 against him. Lefties have hit .143 (2 for 14) and righties .200 (4 for 20).
The likelihood is that the Sox playoff bullpen will have at least eight. Craig Kimbrel, Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes, Robby Scott, Brandon Workman, and Addison Reed all appear to be in. Looking at possible elimination could be Fernando Abad, Heath Hembree, Carson Smith, and Blaine Boyer. Barnes may also not be a sure thing unless he kicks up his game.
“He’s thrown the ball well,’’ Farrell said of Maddox. “He’s shown a tremendous competitive and a mind presence that is strong.’’
Starting pitchers
We know Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz. And I think we know Doug Fister.
There likely needs to be a fourth among Eduardo Rodriguez, Rick Porcello, and David Price.
Price threw a simulated game Saturday afternoon, which means he’s inching closer to activation. Of course, we all know the snail’s pace of throwing programs. The Sox will have to see how Price is on Sunday and then they’ll schedule another simulation in four or five days, according to Farrell. Anyway, within the next week to 10 days, Price will begin to extend himself. Will he get to the point where he can make a start or two before the playoffs? That is the question.
It’s amazing that Porcello might not make the postseason rotation as the reigning American League Cy Young winner. Porcello has made eight postseason appearances since 2011, but only three of them have been starts. He’s a sinkerball pitcher — as is Fister — and when they’re on they look unbeatable, and when they’re not balls are flying everywhere. For Porcello, unfortunately it’s been more of the latter.
He could get hot and change the narrative between now and the end of the month, but that switch would have to be flipped quickly.
Rodriguez continues to struggle with consistency. Only 10 of his 20 starts have been quality starts. Right now it appears he’s either in the bullpen or off the playoff roster entirely. Rodriguez is one of those players fighting for his playoff life. The Sox already have Sale and Pomeranz from the left side to start and may want to balance it with two righthanders.
Position players
This could get interesting, as well. Let’s assume the starters are Mitch Moreland, Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Sandy Leon, Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, and Hanley Ramirez.
On the surface it would seem Chris Young, Brock Holt, Christian Vazquez, and Eduardo Nunez comprise the bench. Rajai Davis seems to be on the outside looking in at the moment. Young and Holt have both struggled. Could Davis, Deven Marrero, or Tzu-Wei Lin make a case to stay? Davis was obtained to be a guy who can give you a late stolen base and perhaps win a game with his legs. He’s hitting .211 for the Red Sox.
Young has not had the best of seasons. His splits are completely out of whack — he’s hitting .187 against lefties, which was supposed to be his strength.
Holt has also struggled in a season where he’s had to get over head trauma. He’s hitting .179 and only .163 against righthanded pitching.
Farrell said Saturday that he would stick with Leon as Sale’s personal catcher because the combination has worked well, though not as well lately.
Vazquez has surprised all with his .290 average, 4 homers, and 27 RBIs. He’s also hit .357 since July 31 and has stolen seven bases in eight attempts. He last allowed a stolen base on Aug. 3.
With 21 games left (including Saturday’s) there’s still time for the unspoken competitions to be decided. The hope is those lagging will rise up when it counts the most and create a tough decision for Farrell and his staff.
Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com.
