The postseason is predominantly viewed as a time when pitchers rise to the occasion and look to carry their team to the promised land. In 2014, San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner lifted the Giants to the championship by going 4-1 with a minuscule 1.03 ERA over 52.2 postseason innings. In light of this maxim, I previously ranked the aces of October. But in the midst of pitching battles, one swing of the bat can determine the outcome.
Now it’s time to take a look at the sluggers who could very well make that difference in the 2015 MLB postseason.
A-Rod was an absolute zero for the Yankees the last two times they reached the postseason. He went 2-for-18 in 2011. Somehow he managed to be even worse in 2012, going just 3-for-25 (.120) with two walks and 12 strikeouts and not one run driven in in seven games. The only scoring he did came when he got a female fan’s phone number during an ALCS game. But if there’s anything he taught us in 2004 and especially in 2009, it’s that he has the capability of carrying a team in October.
And just when everyone counted A-Rod out, he went out this season and led the team in home runs (33), on-base percentage (.356) and total bases (252). Since everything about his season has been so unexpected, perhaps he will reverse his recent postseason fortunes and come through once again for the Yankees.
14. Adrian Beltre, TEX
The 17-year veteran has been a staple at the hot corner for the AL West-leading Texas Rangers. While Beltre is largely known for his defensive prowess, his bat has also proven to be lethal time and time again. He has posted 17 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2015. The good news for Rangers fans is that most of the production has come at the right time.
Beltre has batted .310/.367/.493 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs since the All-Star break. He also has a history of performing well in the playoffs for Texas. In the 2011 postseason, Beltre bashed five home runs in 17 games. Look for the 36-year-old to take it to the next level in October.
13. Curtis Granderson, NYM
It is crazy to think that Granderson became somewhat of an afterthought this season behind the New York Mets’ pitchers and the emergence of new teammate Yoenis Cespedes. Nevertheless, Granderson still has blasted 25 home runs and driven in 69 runs from the leadoff spot. Though he totally tanked the last time he was in the postseason by going 3-for-30 for the Yankees, the right fielder posted an OPS north of 1.000 in four of his six other career playoff series. Perhaps that makes him a boom or bust player in the playoffs. The Mets are certainly hoping for a boom.
12. Eric Hosmer, KC
One of the 2014 postseason heroes for the then-underdog Royals has had a solid season for the AL Central champions in 2015. Eric Hosmer has hit .302 with 17 homers and a career-best.823 OPS to help the Royals to their best season since 1989. With high aspirations looming, Hosmer looks to return to his tip-top postseason form of a year ago. The sweet-swinging lefty batted .351 in the playoffs last year with a .983 OPS, and he also treated fans to a nice party along the way. Will he be the Royals’ postseason MVP once again?
11. Prince Fielder, TEX
Fielder is back to being a .300 hitter and on his way to leading the Texas Rangers to an AL West title. He leads the team in batting average (.309), home runs (23), RBIs (96), on-base percentage (.382), hits (185) and has clearly been the team’s best batter all season. He also is heating up. Since Sept. 14, Fielder has posted four 3-hit games and five home runs.
With Cole Hamels on the mound and Fielder at the plate, the Rangers could be headed to their third World Series since 2010.
