Every postseason team has a prohibitive x-factor on it. You know, the type of guy that can help in raising the ceiling of your team with a consistently strong performance. Sometimes, those athletes can be lesser-known. However, big names can still fulfill the role of real difference-makers when needed most. In this case, we’ll highlight five guys who can have a real impact on the race for a World Series title.
Manny Machado — San Diego Padres
Machado gets a bit lost in the shuffle when it comes to elite players in the game today. Some of that has to do with playing down in San Diego (somewhat) out of the limelight. At the same time, he’s still talented enough to carry your team in a series. The fielding ability is still present — and Machado may be unparalleled when it comes to arm strength. We know how precious defense is during October during close games when saving runs can be the difference between life and baseball death. From there, Machado is still a major threat at the plate. He’s also known for coming up with the big hit during clutch time when called upon.
Salvador Perez — Kansas City Royals
Salvy knows what it takes to win a World Series. He was a core member of the Kansas City team that won the Fall Classic back in 2015. The 34-year-old is the leader of this current squad. He hit 27 HRs and drove in 104 runs during the regular season with a respectable .271 batting average. Kansas City isn’t flush with offense outside of himself and Bobby Witt Jr. If Perez can turn back the clock a bit and produce like he did during his prime, it would help in making the Royals a very dangerous team to face.
Alex Bregman — Houston Astros
Bregman has had a down year by his standards. Even though he’s clubbed 26 HRs, he’s hitting only .260 (he’s a career .272 hitter). With his experience level in the heart of the order, Bregman getting ‘on a heater’ could elevate the Astros into even more of a contender. His bat-to-ball skills traditionally are elite, and with the short porch in left field, Bregman could run into some HRs pretty easily if he’s dialed in.
Clay Holmes — New York Yankees
Yankees fans have had a rollercoaster relationship with Holmes throughout this year. There are times when he looks fully capable. On the flipside, he’s also demonstrated volatility resulting in fans pulling their hair out figuratively and literally. He needs to be a shutdown guy for the Yankees to win their first World Series since 2009.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto — Los Angeles Dodgers
With Tyler Glasnow out injured, it’s up to Yamamoto to show why the Dodgers spent more than $300 million for him in the offseason. He is now the ace of the staff and will be the No. 1 starter for the Dodgers when they eventually host the divisional playoff series. Yamamoto has sat out for long stretches due to a shoulder issue. He’s been back recently and has looked decent-to-good. However, for the Dodgers to win the World Series, they need him to be dominant — similar to the start he had in the Bronx when he picked the Yankees apart allowing only two hits in 7.0 IP (with 7 Ks).
