As the MLB playoffs heat up, eight key components will shape the rest of the postseason. Here’s a breakdown of the teams that excel or have the most to worry about in each category:
**Power**: The ability to hit home runs is crucial in October. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets stand out with powerful lineups, while the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers struggle with power.
**Contact Ability**: Consistently putting the ball in play can make a team slump-proof. The San Diego Padres, Dodgers, and Royals excel in this area, while the Tigers have the worst strikeout rate among the remaining teams.
**Top-of-the-Order Stars**: Deep runs are often powered by the biggest names. The Dodgers’ trio of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman is formidable, while the Yankees’ duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto is the most productive pair in the majors.
**Baserunning**: Aggressive and intelligent baserunning can win a series. The Tigers are aggressive and smart on the basepaths, while the Yankees are last in both FanGraphs’ baserunning metric and overall percentage of taking the extra base.
**Defense**: Exceptional defense can win games in October. The Guardians have a slick double-play combo and excellent outfield defense, while the Yankees are a mixed bag defensively.
**Top of the Rotation**: A rotation flush with aces is still tough to beat in October. The Philadelphia Phillies own this category, with a deep and talented rotation, while the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top starter missed half the year with an injury.
**Bullpen**: A dominant bullpen can be the difference-maker in the postseason. The San Diego Padres’ bullpen is deep and talented, while the New York Mets’ bullpen is tired and unsettled.
**Intangibles**: Sometimes the postseason comes down to which team has the right vibe. The New York Mets have a magical aura surrounding them, while the Los Angeles Dodgers are under pressure to win it all after past postseason failures.
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