Major League Baseball: X-Factors for potential postseason teams
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals have never been to a World Series, but could this be the season they finally breakthrough and win it all? They have the starting pitching, with five starters who could be aces on most MLB staffs. Their first-ever draft pick as an organization, Ryan Zimmerman, is having a career season, while Daniel Murphy continues his two season tear, but there is another who will be the key factor to their postseason success.
X-Factor: Bryce Harper
The 2015 NL MVP was on pace for that very award this season, until a gruesome injury sidelined the phenom. However, Harper is recovering quite well, which could put him back in action as early as the Divisional round of the playoffs. If so, he could be the spark that lifts the Nationals over the favored Dodgers if the two teams were to meet in the NLCS. More than just his eye-popping numbers, Harper’s swagger and “it’ factor give the Nationals some major mojo.
Here are Bryce Harpers 2017 stats, before his injury:
.327 batting average, 29 HRs, 87 RBI, and 94 runs scored in just 402 AB. Here are the career accolades for the young superstar:
- 2012 Rookie of the Year
- 2015 National league MVP
- 5 time N.L. All-Star
- 2015 Silver slugger award
- 150 career home-runs
- 782 career base-hits