With just over two weeks left in the regular season for the MLB, the stretch drive and push to the playoffs is in full swing.
This is a very important time of year as teams jockey for position, magic numbers fill the minds of fans and clubs hope to pop champagne and celebrate a playoff berth sooner rather than later. Baseball is ultimately a team sport, but some individuals are relied upon more heavily than others this time of year -- especially in the American League.
Cole Hamels Trade To Pay Dividends For Rangers Projected Playoff Rotation
If the regular season finished right now, the AL playoff picture would see the Blue Jays host the Rangers and the victor of a Wild Card Game between the Yankees and Astros visit the Royals.
This time of year, teams rely on certain pitchers to help them avoid losing streaks and certain hitters to take the pressure off by carrying their club on their backs. Here are the most important players down the stretch for all five AL teams currently in the postseason picture. To view this article in slideshow form, CLICK START at the top right of this page.
Johnny Cueto, Royals Starters Struggling As Playoffs Loom
Astros: Dallas Keuchel
It's tough to say someone who starts every five days is the team's most important player this late in the year, but with Houston now victims of an epic collapse and clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead over the Twins for the final wild card spot in the AL, it needs its ace now more than ever. Keuchel has been a Cy Young candidate for most of the year, ranking first in the AL with a 1.03 WHIP and 17 wins (tied), while his 2.56 ERA ranks second. Keuchel already faltered Wednesday, allowing nine earned runs and 11 hits in a must-game win against the Rangers. He'll have to be better if Houston wants to take back the division.
Yankees: Greg Bird
One can make the argument that Luis Severino or Masahiro Tanaka or even members of the bullpen should be the most important players, and while they're vital to the team, Bird's role will be very critical. With Mark Teixeira (shin) and his 31 homers and 79 RBI out for the rest of the regular season, the pressure is on for the rookie to continue his penchant for big hits. Bird, 22, has seven homers and 21 RBI in 29 games and 101 at-bats and he'll have to continue to pick up the slack with the Teixeira void in New York's lineup. The Yankees are hunting the Blue Jays and remain 3 ½ games up in the top wild-card spot.
Blue Jays: Josh Donaldson
David Price will be a huge factor down the stretch, but Donaldson has been the team's (and arguably the AL's) MVP all season long and he can't waver down the stretch. Donaldson leads the MLB with 119 RBI and 109 runs and is second in the AL with 38 homers. He hasn't shown signs of slowing down in September, where he owns a .309/.355/.527 slash line. Toronto enters Thursday with a three-game lead over New York.
Royals: Johnny Cueto
The onus is really on the whole rotation, which is struggling right now, but Cueto has not lived up to expectations since being acquired from the Reds at the non-waiver deadline. The right-hander is 2-6 for Kansas City in nine games with a 5.43 ERA. In his last outing on Sunday, Cueto got smacked around by Baltimore, yielding eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Kansas City was cruising toward clinching the top spot in the AL playoff hunt and hosting the wild card winner, but the gap is shrinking despite its 10-game lead in the AL Central.
Rangers: Prince Fielder
Cole Hamels will also be a factor, but Fielder needs to keep on chugging along in what has been a fantastic season for him. The first baseman enters Thursday third in the AL in hits (172-tied) and fourth in batting average (.314) and on-base percentage (.383), all while leading the team with 21 homers and 83 RBI. Fielder launched two round-trippers against Houston on Wednesday as Texas took a 1 1/2-game lead atop the AL West.
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