2020 MLB playoffs: One X-factor for each American League team
By Nick Stevens
With the 2020 MLB playoffs set to begin on September 29th, here is one x-factor for each AL team to watch out for.
Get ready to throw the records out and prepare for a MLB playoff season like we have never seen before when postseason play begins on Tuesday, September 29th.
Entering play on Friday, spots are still up for grabs in the National League playoff race, but we know which eight teams will be competing for a World Series title in the American League.
One of the more fascinating aspects of every postseason is watching the emergence of a lesser-known, or perhaps even unknown, postseason hero who steps up and leads their team to the promised land.
In a MLB season that has already been full of surprises, the postseason is sure to be just as shocking. Will we see a veteran step up and become this year’s Steve Pearce? Will a rookie make a name for himself on the national stage?
Here’s one possible X-factor for each of the eight American League postseason teams.
Tampa Bay Rays- OF Randy Arozarena
Despite leading the AL in wins and trailing only the LA Dodgers for the top record in the majors, the Tampa Bay Rays have quietly dominated their way through the 2020 MLB season. It doesn’t take long to look at this roster and pick out the Rays most likely X-factor, outfielder Randy Arozarena.
Traded along with Jose Martinez (since flipped to the Chicago Cubs) for notable pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore, the Rays clearly view Arozarena as a valuable asset and he’s proven that in his brief amount of time at the major league level.
In 20 games, Arozarena is slashing .278/.365/.685 with seven home runs and 180 wRC+. He already has two multi-home run games under his belt.
If Arozarena catches fire over a small postseason sample size, it’s going to be hard for any pitching staff to hold down the Rays and their ability to rack up the runs (fifth in the AL in runs scored this season).
Oakland A’s- RHP Frankie Montas
The loss of Matt Chapman is a huge blow to Oakland, but Jake Lamb has quickly filled in well and provided valuable help offensively in his brief tenure with the A’s. The lineup as a whole is still filled with veterans more than capable of keeping this team in games, but they aren’t going to outscore offenses like New York, Chicago, and Tampa Bay, so pitching will be key.
Rookie Jesus Luzardo has been electric this season while Chris Bassitt and Sean Manaea have both been reliable, combining for 2.1 Wins Above Replacement and ranking among the top 20 in the AL in terms of FIP (starters with at least 50 IP).
The potential X-factor here is pitcher Frankie Montas. Montas was on pace for quite the season in 2019, going 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 16 starts before being suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s banned substance policy.
Montas hasn’t been the same since. He is 3-5 this year with a 6.32 ERA, walks are up, home runs allowed are up, and his strikeout rate is still decent, but down from his 2019 campaign. If Montas can turn things around and pitch more like 2019 Frankie Montas, the A’s suddenly have four quality starters for the postseason, along with Mike Minor who has pitched well since coming over to Oakland at the trade deadline.
Through his first four starts this season, Montas allowed just four earned runs across 23 innings. The dominant version of Montas is in there, he just needs to come out soon.