Fox Sports flags MLB contenders’ late-season X-factors
With 20 days left in the regular season, Fox Sports has identified players who could shape the playoff races among teams within five games of contention.
Fox Sports’ latest MLB power rankings focus on teams within five games of a playoff spot, as the regular season enters its final 20 days. The assessment is intended as a moving snapshot, with teams able to enter or leave the playoff picture.
Minnesota rookie shortstop Kaelen Culpepper is highlighted as the Twins’ standout first-year player, despite attention on outfield call-up Walker Jenkins. In Baltimore, utility player Coby Mayo helped end the Orioles’ six-game losing streak with a two-home-run performance.
Texas is relying on Cal Quantrill amid injuries to Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter. Fox Sports reported that Quantrill has a 1.18 ERA across six starts since the beginning of August, the lowest mark among qualified MLB starters over that period.
The rankings also point to emerging contributors elsewhere. Cardinals prospect Joshua Báez has opened September with hits in each of his first seven games, while Miami’s Javier Sanoja has been among the league leaders in hits during the first week of the month. Toronto outfielder Brett Bateman has led the Blue Jays in hits, batting average, runs scored and fWAR since his call-up on 7 August, according to Fox Sports.
Cleveland’s Chase DeLauter is described as the Guardians’ best hitter since August, but his wrist sprain is being monitored. Houston, meanwhile, has received a boost from Hayden Wesneski’s return from Tommy John surgery, with Fox Sports reporting that he has recorded the lowest ERA in the Astros’ rotation since the start of August.
