MLB: Top Five Biggest Postseason Threats in 2016

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Which five players could make the biggest impact on the 2016 MLB postseason? Here are the stars to look out for this year.

We are officially entering the 2016 MLB postseason. All teams are locked, loaded, and ready to compete. This year, the postseason looks to provide fans with moments and memories that will last a lifetime. This postseason may include the end of a curse, a rematch that is 30 years in the making, and some first-time history. As the old saying goes: you never know!

Arguments can be made for each of the ten teams in this year’s playoffs. The Cubs are coming off one of their best years in franchise history. With over 100 wins, youth, a dynamic pitching staff, and a powerful offense, this team looks unstoppable. It’s an even-numbered year, which means the Giants are also expected to make a run. With their veteran experience, San Francisco could win another championship.

The Dodgers and Mets are two incredibly beat-up teams, with injuries continuously piling on. However, they are both on white-hot runs, and their runs could lead both of them to the promised land. The Nationals may be the most put-together team in the playoffs, and this could be the year where Washington wins its first championship.

Meanwhile, in the American League, the Rangers hold home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The team has made it to two consecutive World Series, coming up short in both of them. Based on their record and performance this season, the Rangers should be viewed as the favorites for the AL. The Indians are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. They have not won a championship since 1948. With their level of talent, the Indians could be the ones to win it all.

The Orioles and Blue Jays provide serious power threats, with the Jays also adding a pitching threat this postseason. The Red Sox have had recent postseason success, but with the retirement of David Ortiz looming, you would have to imagine the Red Sox would go all-out in this postseason. The scenarios, like every year, are endless.

This year will also feature some standout players, who have already shown glimpses of greatness in playoff games. Some of these players made it to the postseason last season, while others are making their first appearances in several years. One thing all of these players have in common: they are all players to look out for in the playoffs. Here are five of the biggest postseason threats for the 2016 MLB playoffs.

Madison Bumgarner (Giants)

The Giants are officially in the playoffs for the first time since their World Series victory in 2014. They knocked the Cardinals out of contention on the final day of the regular season to clinch a Wild Card spot. Of course, the Giants definitely have their fair share of deadly weapons when it comes to the playoffs. Obviously, Madison Bumgarner isn’t just a threat, but an unstoppable force.

Bumgarner is enjoying a Cy Young-worthy season, but his playoff success cannot go unnoticed. Bumgarner has put up average numbers in the NLDS and NLCS, but his success in the World Series is unimaginable. With a 0.25 World Series ERA in five appearances, Bumgarner has already proven his value in tight situations… and he’s only 26! As the Giants look for their fourth World Series title in seven seasons, look for Bumgarner to be a key contributor.

2016 stats: 15-9/2.74 ERA/226.2 IP/251 SO/1.02 WHIP

Career Postseason stats: 7-3/2.14 ERA/88.1 IP/77 SO/0.88 WHIP/3 WS Championships

David Ortiz (Red Sox)

The Red Sox have clinched a spot in the playoffs, winning the AL East crown during the final week of the season. This will be the first time since 2013 that the Red Sox will be competing in the playoffs. That year, the Sox defeated the Rays in the ALDS, the Tigers in the ALCS, and the Cardinals in the World Series for their third championship in nine seasons.

Sadly, this will be the last time David Ortiz will appear in the playoffs, and he will ultimately go down as one of the all-time playoff greats. Ortiz’s numbers in the playoffs, especially in the World Series, have been unbelievable. The MVP candidate is a career .295 hitter in the playoffs, hitting a fiery .455 in World Series games. While baseball may be saying goodbye to a great, the playoffs will give fans one last chance to witness his greatness.

2016 stats: .315 AVG/38 HR/127 RBI/1.021 OPS/48 2B/.401 OBP

Career Postseason stats: .295 AVG/17 HR/60 RBI/.962 OPS/3 WS Championships

Daniel Murphy (Nationals)

Anything is possible in the sports world, but Daniel Murphy’s 2015 postseason numbers defied every odd. Now, he looks to do it again – this time, with a different team. There is no doubt that Murphy is already in consideration for the NL MVP. However, many wonder if Murphy can repeat his success from last year’s playoffs, where Murphy broke several Major League records. Last year, Murphy homered in three NLDS games and all four of the Mets NLCS games. Murphy homered in six consecutive playoff games, which is an MLB record. He became the first player since Lou Gehrig to have a hit, run, and RBI in seven straight games, and for his efforts was named the NLCS MVP. As the Nationals look to conquer the World Series, look for Murphy to be a key factor in their efforts.

2016 stats: .347 AVG/25 HR/104 RBI/.985 OPS/88 R/184 H

Career Postseason stats: .328 AVG/7 HR/11 RBI/1.115 OPS/NLCS MVP

Carlos Beltran (Rangers)

Perhaps one of the greatest players to never win a World Series, Carlos Beltran has certainly showed his value during the regular season and the playoffs. With a .332 batting average and a .441 on-base percentage, it’s hard to imagine how Beltran has never won a title. Well, he is running out of chances, given his age, and now may be the time to strike. While Beltran may live in infamy with Mets fans for the ending of Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, he may play hero for the Rangers. The Rangers have won two AL pennants without getting the job done. However, their roster, especially their lineup, is stacked with talent, with Beltran leading the charge. This could be the year where Beltran adds a World Series ring to his already impressive resume.

2016 stats (NYY/TEX): .295 AVG/29 HR/93 RBI/.850 OPS/.513 SLG

Career Postseason stats: .332 AVG/16 HR/40 RBI/1.115 OPS

Jon Lester (Cubs)

The Chicago Cubs seem to be a team destined for the World Series. It is hard to focus on the negatives when there are a variety of positives. Enjoying arguably his best season is lefty Jon Lester, who is 19-4 this season. He has appeared in 16 playoff games and has even won two championships. Lester may be involved in a rarity: he has appeared in an ALDS, NLDS, ALCS, NLCS, and two World Series. Now, he looks for his third – for a National League team. Speaking of the World Series, Lester has started three games, holding an astounding 0.43 ERA. It seems Lester isn’t getting enough praise due to the emergence of Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta. However, don’t sleep on him in the playoffs. Lester may just be the leader that guides the Cubs to break the curse.

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2016 stats: 19-5/2.44 ERA/202.2 IP/197 SO/1.02 WHIP

Career Postseason stats: 6-6/2.85 ERA/98 IP/87 SO/1.07 WHIP/2 WS Championships

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