Major League Baseball: X-Factors for potential postseason teams
Chicago Cubs
Coming off of their first World Series championship since 1908, the Cubs are primed to be the first team to repeat since the 2000 season. Having mashers such as Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, to go with their depth at starting pitching with the likes of Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and company, their key to winning it all comes from the back-end of their bullpen, an position which was heavily upgraded in the off-season.
X-Factor: Wade Davis
The experienced reliever, who was a key part of the successful Kansas City Royals teams of 2014 and 2015 as both a set-up man and closer, will be what could put the boys from the Windy City over the top once again. Perfect in save opportunities this season — 31 of 31 — anytime the Cubs lead after 8 innings, it’s lights out for opposing teams.
Milwaukee Brewers
For the first time since 2011, the Brewers are in contention to either snag a wild card spot, or are within in striking distance of catching the Cubs for the N.L. Central divisional title.
As these two sayings go, defense wins championships and speed kills, which encompasses this player for the Brewers.
X-Factor: Keon Broxton
In maybe the most athletic, and important catch of the season, Broxton literally saved a game that had dire consequences, when he robbed Randal Grichuk of a (potential) game winning home-run to end the game, which resulted in a two game swing. The Cardinals and Brewers keep see-sawing back and forth with one another in the standings.
The key-piece that will put the Brewers over the top is this unsung hero, who continues to flash that leather, and show off that speed, which has already saved key games.
St Louis Cardinals
Up until their weekend series with the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals were hitting full-stride, but now they are now six games behind the Cubs in the N.L. Central, after getting swept in Chicago in a crucial three-game set.
They also trail the aforementioned Brewers, so the path isn’t much easier in their quest for the final N.L. Wild Card spot, where they will have to leapfrog both those Brewers and also the Rockies in the process. In order to make up those games, they will need production and a spark from their biggest catalyst to make that deep run that Cardinals fans have become accustomed to.
X-Factor: Tommy Pham
The Cardinals slugger is having a dream season and his production must continue over the club’s final 13 games in order for them to steal a playoff spot. Pham is the first Cardinals player since Reggie Sanders in 2004 to hit 20 homers and snag 20 bags. If Pham can get to the 25-25 mark, the Cardinals may be able to make the playoffs after all, which no one on the other-side of opposing dugouts wants to see.