Who will step up in the 2020 MLB playoffs? Here is one X-factor for each National League team competing for a World Series title.
It came down to the final day of the regular season, but the National League bracket is complete and the 2020 MLB playoffs are set to begin with the largest field of teams ever to play in the postseason.
The 16-team playoff field has led to something else MLB fans haven’t seen before, teams with a losing record entering the playoffs. The Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros will play October baseball, despite finishing with a 29-31 record.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Is this the year of the LA Dodgers? Will the magic continue in San Diego? Are the Miami Marlins really a force to be reckoned with in the postseason?
All of these questions and many more will be answered over the coming weeks, but before the 2020 MLB postseason begins, let’s look at one X-factor for each National League ballclub who can have a major impact on how far their team goes.
Los Angeles Dodgers- OF Cody Bellinger
The LA Dodgers have been MLB’s top team for most of the 2020 season, but facing a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round of the MLB playoffs cannot be overlooked. Anything can happen in a three-game set and the Dodgers are going to have to make sure these games aren’t close.
Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias have been solid this season and rookies Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May give the Dodgers five starters they can confidently rely on, along with a very good bullpen. Pitching won’t be an issue for LA in the playoffs.
It’s really hard to question a lineup that leads the majors in home runs (116) and wRC+ (123), but reigning MVP Cody Bellinger hasn’t put up the types of numbers we are used to seeing at the plate. That happens when we have been spoiled by his fantastic play. Bellinger is hitting .239 with a .789 OPS this year, but he’s hitting .349 with a 1.086 OPS and more walks (11) than strikeouts (9) over the last two weeks.
If that version of Cody Bellinger shows up in the MLB playoffs, it’s going to be extremely difficult to take down the Dodgers.
Atlanta Braves- RHP Ian Anderson
Don’t bother trying to find a weakness in Atlanta’s lineup, there isn’t one. There are, however, major questions about whether or not this pitching staff can take the Braves deep into the MLB playoffs. It’s been a concern all season and only become more concerning as the season has progressed.
Luckily, Max Fried should be good to go for Atlanta, but who else will be able to keep Atlanta competitive with no days off in this year’s playoffs? Rookie Ian Anderson is the major X-factor here.
Anderson has struck out 30% of hitters he has faced in his six starts and enters the postseason with a 1.95 ERA and .172 average against. If he can follow up Fried with a quality start, Atlanta shouldn’t have an issue getting out of the first round and will provide a formidable one-two punch in later rounds.
Deep outings from Fried and Anderson will also keep the bullpen fresh for Atlanta, a unit that will be heavily relied upon to work come behind Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson and win games.