USA TODAY International Edition
GO- TO GUYS
MLB playoff races are in full swing. Here’s a look at the impact player on each contending team who can make or break the season.
With just six weeks left in the regular season, baseball’s playoff races are heating up.
Several divisions are still in play, which trickles down to the wild- card races, particularly in the National League with seven teams within 41⁄ games going into Thursday.
Here’s a look at the player on each contending team who could make or break the team’s season heading toward October:
Yankees – OF Giancarlo Stanton: When Stanton, who has played in only nine games this season, returns from a knee injury, the Yankees are going to need to try different ways to integrate him into the lineup.
Rays – 1B- DH Jesus Aguilar: After an ugly first few months, Aguilar is slashing .342/. 393/. 544 since July 1. The Rays will need their deadline- day acquisition to keep this up as they try to hold on in the wild- card race.
Red Sox – OF Andrew Benintendi: Truth be told, Boston doesn’t have a great chance at reaching the postseason. Benintendi’s first half wasn’t great, but he has turned things around, slashing .312/. 381/. 544 in 31 games since the All- Star break.
Twins – SS Jorge Polanco: The AllStar’s second- half struggles have coincided with Minnesota completely losing its division lead. Polanco is going to have to get back on track if the Twins hope to hold off the Indians.
Indians – SP Corey Kluber: The twotime Cy Young winner hasn’t pitched since May 1 but is scheduled to return soon and should provide a big boost to Cleveland’s American League Central hopes.
Astros – SP Aaron Sanchez: If he continues to pitch well and earn manager A. J. Hinch’s trust, the deadline acquisition could be a huge bullpen asset come October.
Athletics – SP Tanner Roark: Not the sexiest deadline acquisition, but the veteran right- hander has been great since the trade and can anchor this rotation as Oakland fights for a wild- card spot.
Braves – SP Dallas Keuchel: Some bumps were to be expected, but the lefty has been inconsistent since joining Atlanta. He needs to find a groove in the
coming weeks and might be on his way after turning in six scoreless innings against the Mets on Wednesday.
Nationals – OF Victor Robles: His first full season in the majors has been a positive one, but his importance over the next few weeks can’t be overstated. The 22- year- old has delivered some big hits (. 888 OPS with RISP) and can be a game- changer on the basepaths.
Mets – RP Edwin Diaz: The 25- yearold’s first season in New York has been an unmitigated disaster, but the team desperately needs Diaz to contribute clean innings down the stretch.
Phillies – OF Bryce Harper: The $ 330 million man’s debut season in Philadelphia has been considered a disappointment even though he’s on pace to drive in more than 100 RBI and is playing the best defense of his career.
Cubs – RP Craig Kimbrel: Chicago’s closer was finally settling in before a knee injury landed him on the injured list. He should be back this weekend.
Cardinals – 1B Paul Goldschmidt: He has been great recently (. 961 OPS since July 1) and has to keep it up for St. Louis to secure its first postseason berth since 2015.
Brewers – RP Josh Hader: One of the game’s most dominant relievers is stuck in a rough patch ( 6.00 ERA since July 1), but he’s going to be leaned on even harder than last year due to Milwaukee’s dearth of reliable bullpen options.
Dodgers – SP Dustin May: The 21year- old has been sharp in his three bigleague starts. Los Angeles failed to add an impact reliever at the deadline, but May could be that guy come October.
Diamondbacks – 1B- 3B Jake Lamb: Limited to 14 games in the first half, Lamb, who averaged 30 homers and 98 RBI from 2016 to 2017, has a .861 OPS since the break.
Giants – 3B Evan Longoria: San Francisco’s playoff odds continue to slip, but Longoria was huge during the team’s hot streak earlier in the summer and is hitting .314 ( 11- for- 35) in eight games since returning from the injured list.