Clutch in the MLB postseason: Game-changing moments (2016-2022)

Clutch, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, holds many meanings. It can be a verb, like clutching something in your hands, or a noun, like someone’s clutch. In this case, we will look at the word clutch through its definition as an adjective: successful in a crucial situation (such as the MLB postseason).

The MLB postseason is rife with clutch performances. October baseball provides a tense atmosphere and high stakes, which allows players to really show the world what they are made of.

Here are some of the most clutch MLB performances in recent postseasons (2016-2022), ranging from the Wild Card games to the big dance.

There are no broad guidelines here. These are just moments, performances, or even players that I think changed the tide in favor of a team’s performance in the postseason. I do realize that I won’t be able to include all the big October moments, so I’m bound to miss a few. These, however, are just some of my favorites.

2022

The most recent postseason was one of the most surprising I’ve seen in recent years. From the Jays blowing an 8-1 lead to the Mariners in the Wild Card to the Padres finally beating their Goliath in the Dodgers, it is hard to find one particular moment that truly encapsulates the “clutch” energy.

The AL Wild Card race saw the Guardians’ Oscar Hernandez dinger in the 15th inning effectively crushing Tampa’s playoff ambitions. Brandon Marsh’s three-run home run in Game 4 of the NLDS began the rally which eventually sent Philly to the NLCS. Should I be a little silly and perhaps talk about the legendary playoff goose as the most clutch player? Should I take a cheap shot at a division rival by choosing Joe Musgrove’s performance in the Wild Card? Perhaps not. This is why my pick for the “most clutch” is not going to be a moment, per se, but rather a person: Jeremy Peña.

It almost feels like a no-brainer (or a cop out) picking him. The wunderkind accounted for 22 percent of runs scored by the Astros during the World Series, a distinction he shares with his teammate, former regular season MVP Jose Altuve. His postseason batting average was .345. His walk-off 18th-inning home run sent Houston to the ALCS. He brought the ‘Stros from a three-run deficit in Game 4 of the ALCS, which Houston eventually won, sweeping the Yankees. It’s astounding to think about these accomplishments, especially when you remember this was his rookie season. I hate to admit it, but, as the cool kids say, Jeremy Peña is him. AL West, brace yourselves. Y’all got a lot to fear in the coming years.

Anti-Clutch: Chris Bassitt (NL Wild Card Game 3). In a Wild Card elimination game, it does well not to give up three runs in four innings. Stat line: 3H 3ER 3BB 2SO | 6.75 ERA

2021

In all honesty, this article just gives me another excuse to write about the 2021 Atlanta Braves and their magical run. A shocker, right? Sure, other teams had clutch moments and all credit to them! Unfortunately for those around me, for fans of Atlanta’s division rivals, and for whoever is reading this, I will never shut up about 2021.

I could talk about Freddie Freeman’s eighth-inning home run against Milwaukee in Game 4 of the NLDS, Max Fried’s outing in Game 6 of the World Series, Eddie Rosario turning into Barry Bonds for three weeks, or Jorge Soler’s home runs in Game 4 and Game 6 (the latter of which still hasn’t landed) of the World Series. However, most of these moments would not have existed if not for Tyler Matzek in Game 6 of the NLCS.

If I were to create a baseball dictionary, Matzek’s picture would appear next to the definition of  “clutch.” Coming in for Luke Jackson, Matzek faced Albert Pujols with no outs and two runners in scoring position. In 11 pitches, Matzek struck out Pujols, Steven Souza Jr., and Mookie Betts one by one. Atlanta eventually won that game, sending them to their (long-awaited) World Series victory.

While his performance in the 2021 postseason overall was great, it was his appearance in Game 6 that ensured Atlanta’s spot as NL champions. If I were Liberty Media, I would build a statue of this guy smack-dab in the middle of the Battery. To take this a step further, if I were the mayor of Atlanta, I’d ensure he never has to buy a drink in the city. Ever. That’s how clutch Tyler Matzek’s outing in the seventh inning was.

Anti-Clutch: Gerrit Cole (Wild Card). The 2021 AL Wild Card saw Yankees fans get a taste of Pittsburgh Gerrit Cole. He pitched two complete innings and gave up three runs before he was taken out in the third. When facing a historic division rival in the playoffs, the stakes are already high enough. C’mon, man!

2020

The shortened 2020 season was strange, to put it lightly. And not just for reasons related to you know what. For one, more games were played as a result of the Wild Card round expanding to all playoff teams, not just teams seeded lower. However, that didn’t make it any less exciting. Both the ALCS and NLCS went down to the wire (much to my chagrin), with both Tampa and Atlanta going up 3-1 before their respective rivals forced Games 6 and 7. As much as it pains me to write about this, I have to go with the catch by Mookie Betts in Game 7 of the NLCS as being the “clutch” moment of the postseason.

As mentioned before, Atlanta had a 3-1 series lead over the Dodgers. How they blew it, I don’t know. It’s part of their “charm.” Anyway, back to Betts. Overall, Game 7 was incredibly close, with the run differential being “one” for both teams for most of the game. Betts’s defense in the 2020 postseason was phenomenal; I could argue for any of the defensive plays he made in the NLDS, NLCS, or World Series to be the ultimate clutch moments. Yet it is this out that, to me, made fortune look upon the Dodgers as opposed to Atlanta.

What should’ve been a Freddie Freeman home run ended up being a long out. Though it wasn’t the final nail in the coffin for the Braves (that would be Cody Bellinger’s dinger in the seventh inning), without it, I do not think the Dodgers would have advanced to the World Series.

Anti-Clutch: Atlanta. All of them. They had to win one game I cannot believe-(the writer exploded before finishing this sentence) (NLCS Games 5-7)

2018

While doing research for this article, I came across the headline “Team of this century? Sox win 4th title since ’04”. Looking back at their postseason record, this seems to be the case. In this postseason run, Boston’s opponents never forced an elimination, meaning they won in three in the ALDS, in four during the NLCS, and in four during the World Series. With their performance, it’s easy to forget some of the other stand-out “clutch” performances from the other teams featured in that postseason.

One such moment is in Game 6 of the NLCS. The Brewers faced elimination after the Dodgers won two straight games (with the Brewers leading 2-1 in the series before). Jesús Aguilar’s double in the first allowed Milwaukee to take an early lead. Going into the fifth inning, the Brewers were up 5-1. After walking Brian Dozier, allowing a David Freese double (scoring Dozier), and issuing another walk, Wade Miley was substituted for Corey Knebel. With two runners on base and the tying run at the plate, Knebel faced Justin Turner and Manny Machado. Turner flew out and Knebel struck out Machado, getting the Brew Crew out of a sticky situation. The rest of the bullpen managed to leave the Dodgers hitless for the rest of the game, forcing a Game 7.

It’s a shame Milwaukee ran out of gas in their next appearance, especially considering how great their pitching core was. Nonetheless, it doesn’t feel remiss awarding the “clutch” title to Knebel’s Game 6 outing.

Anti-Clutch: Although Boston won the game (and the series), Craig Kimbrel. Don’t give up two runs in the bottom of the ninth. C’mon, man. (ALDS Game 4)

2017

Oh, 2017. How full of controversy you were. I’m not going to comment on the scandal; what needs to be said about it has already been said by countless others. It’s not like me to be redundant. As such, I’m going to highlight some of the moments that potentially went under the radar as a result of this controversial postseason. With that, let’s go back to the NL Wild Card series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.

It’s easy to forget that these teams were competitive, considering how they’ve performed in recent years. You wouldn’t know it by looking at this game. While the defense lagged for both teams (the average combined ERA was 10.19), it was the offense that made this game electrifying. The Diamondbacks drew first blood, consecutively scoring in the first three innings of the game. To their credit, the Rockies never gave up. Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story both went yard, and it almost looked like the Arizona bullpen ran out of gas. After nearly overcoming a six-run deficit, Colorado went into the seventh with more hope than they had at the beginning of the game. Then came Archie Bradley.

To be fair, Bradley’s pitching performance wasn’t clutch, to say the least. In his one inning pitched, he gave up two runs. However, it is his triple that makes my pick for my favorite clutch moment of the 2017 postseason. Sure, the Diamondbacks got swept by the Dodgers in the divisional series, so it didn’t exactly help Arizona in the long run. Bradley, however, did something no relief pitcher has done before: hit a triple in the postseason. Man, I miss when pitchers hit in the game. Because then you get electric moments like these.

Anti-Clutch: MLB’s Cheating Enforcement (All)

2016

For our last moment, I want to set the scene a little. If this is a little theatrical, bear with me; I did drama in high school. Anyway, here goes: it is Game 7 of the World Series. The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of ending their 108-year-long World Series drought. After dominating offensively for most of the game, the Cubs’ bullpen imploded and allowed three runs scored. What was a 6-3 lead before the eighth inning is now a 6-6 game going into extra innings. And to top it off, there is a rain delay. Enter Jason Heyward.

Normally, when I think of the word “clutch,” I don’t think of J-Hey (especially within the context of that game). Heyward went 0-for-5, struck out, and did not hit the ball at all. If anything, Heyward’s postseason stats overall qualify him for at least a golden sombrero (or 10). Why, then, am I giving him a spot in his article? To that, I answer with what happened outside the field: the legendary weight room speech. Heyward reminded the team that, among other things, they were “…the best team in baseball” and that they were “…going to win this game.” Of course, I should give credit to the hitting core for scoring two runs and the reliever for maintaining the lead. However, I believe in the inherent romanticism that lies within the game of baseball. And for that, I see Heyward’s speech as the force behind the Cubs’ World Series win and as a clutch moment.

Anti-Clutch: Billy Goat Curse (World Series). Cleveland needed you, ghost of William Sianis!

Many thanks to Baseball-Reference!