The celebs are out for this Division Sequence. Ohtani. Choose. Skubal. Witt. Harper. Lindor. Ramírez. Tatis. This checklist goes on and on.
Nevertheless it’s not at all times the celebs who maintain the important thing to advancing within the postseason. Each championship workforce additionally wants some gamers who aren’t family names to contribute when it issues most. Whether or not it is escaping a jam with a well-executed pitch, coming by means of with a clutch hit or shutting down a rally with a defensive gem, these guys have what it takes to make their mark in October.
Here is a have a look at every workforce’s “secret weapon” for it is Division Sequence matchup, chosen by our MLB.com beat writers.
Guardians: RHP Cade Smith
Can you actually be a secret if you happen to personal the most effective fWAR amongst all MLB relievers? In Smith’s case, in all probability. He’s a 25-year-old rookie who solely made the Opening Day roster as a result of accidents and diseases sidelined different gamers. Since then, he’s been dominant. A grasp of sustaining a gradual coronary heart charge, Smith rapidly turned the go-to arm on the most crucial factors of a recreation, whether or not it’s within the fourth inning or the seventh. In 74 appearances, he owned a 1.91 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings. — Mandy Bell
Royals: 2B Michael Massey
Kansas Metropolis scored simply three runs in two Wild Card Sequence video games, and it was sufficient. However the offense desperately must get in a groove and hold the road transferring. Massey led off each video games in opposition to the Orioles going through a righty starter and swung the bat nicely, going 3-for-8. Discovering a constant leadoff hitter has been a battle all yr for the Royals, who really want somebody to set the desk for Bobby Witt Jr., in addition to Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez in the course of the lineup. Massey doesn’t stroll a lot, however he places the ball in play and has some occasional pop – and he performs a strong protection at second, too. — Anne Rogers
Tigers: INF Andy Ibáñez
He’s probably not a secret anymore after hitting a go-ahead, bases-clearing double off Josh Hader to beat the Astros in Sport 2 of the Wild Card collection. However when the Tigers face a right-handed starter, he’s lurking on the bench, able to enter at any time when a lefty reliever enters. His position is restricted, and he approaches it intensely. He’s additionally an underrated defender, compiling six Outs Above Common whereas enjoying everywhere in the infield. — Jason Beck
Yankees: LHP Tim Hill
Launched in June by a White Sox workforce that was on its method to setting a Main League report for losses in a single season, Hill has emerged as a terrific discover. A 34-year-old sidearmer who generates loads of floor balls, Hill shrugged off his 5.87 ERA with Chicago and pitched to a 2.05 ERA in 35 appearances for the Yanks. He was particularly powerful on lefties, holding them to a .187 batting common (14-for-75) after being crushed to a .413 clip (19-for-46) with the White Sox. — Bryan Hoch
Dodgers: SS/OF Tommy Edman
The Dodgers have tried to amass Edman for years and so they lastly achieved their purpose in a three-way commerce with the Cardinals and White Sox earlier than this yr’s Commerce Deadline. Edman, a switch-hitter, offers the Dodgers a special look. He prioritizes contact and never energy, although he did hit 4 homers in a two-game span earlier this season. Although all the celebs on the high of the lineup get the eye, Edman could be a large piece for the Dodgers in October, particularly given his defensive versatility. — Juan Toribio
Mets: OF Tyrone Taylor
“I don’t assume folks discuss sufficient about Tyrone Taylor,” was how Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza just lately put it. Certainly, if there’s a participant for whom conventional statistics and even superior metrics fail to color a full image, it’s Taylor, the Mets’ glue man, a plus defender and baserunner who has additionally proven a knack for well-timed hits. Throughout the common season, Taylor was a part-time participant. He’s been extra of an on a regular basis asset to date in October, frequently beginning in middle area and shifting to the corners when mandatory. Individuals are beginning to discuss him now. — Anthony DiComo
Padres: C Kyle Higashioka
One by means of eight, the Padres’ offense wears you down. They take lengthy, feisty at-bats. They make contact and spoil pitches. “There’s not a breather in [the lineup],” stated Padres supervisor Mike Shildt. And that’s largely due to Kyle Higashioka within the No. 9 spot. He does it in a different way than the remainder of the Padres. He’s liable to strike out. However he’s additionally a 17-homer catcher, with two extra within the postseason already. Along with backstopping this glorious Padres employees, Higashioka posted a .476 slugging share throughout the common season. Dylan Stop known as Higashioka “the most effective nine-hole hitter within the recreation,” and he’s in all probability proper. — AJ Cassavell
Phillies: RHP Jeff Hoffman
It might sound unusual to name an NL All-Star the Phillies’ secret weapon, however Hoffman goes to be pitching within the recreation’s largest late-inning moments all through the postseason. Earlier than the Phillies obtained Carlos Estevez earlier than the July 30 Commerce Deadline, Hoffman picked up 9 saves. However since Estevez turned the nearer, Hoffman has been deployed wherever from the sixth by means of the ninth innings, relying on the scenario. Hoffman can begin an inning, or deal with a “soiled” inning, as Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson likes to name it. — Todd Zolecki