Dodgers: Three Dodgers who could be postseason x-factors

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The Dodgers have one of the most talented rosters in the postseason. There are still three players who could be big x-factors this October.

There is just one more day until the Dodgers kick off their 2019 postseason against the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers will be heavy favorites to not only advance to the NLCS but make it back to a third consecutive World Series. They could get a grudge match against the Astros or a historic matchup with the Yankees in the World Series. But first, the blue must advance through the National League.

The Dodgers’ roster is loaded with a mix of talented youngsters and postseason tested veterans. Then there are the players who are both young and playoff-tested such as Cody Bellinger, Walker Buehler, and Corey Seager among others. Both sides of the age spectrum will need to contribute if the Dodgers are going to finally win their first World Series since 1988. Here are three players who could be x-factors this postseason.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 26: Dustin May #85 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on August 26, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Dustin May – Bullpen x-factor

Dustin May is not a lock for the postseason roster although chances are that he will be part of the Dodgers’ NLDS roster. May features a power sinker in the upper 90’s and a sharp cutter in the low 90’s. He can mix in a changeup and a curveball but pitching out of the bullpen he will likely stick with his two best pitches.

Although he had an ERA of 5.11 as a reliever, Dustin seemed to figure things out in the final month of the regular season. During September, May pitched to an ERA of 2.61 while limiting opposing batters to a .237 average. Overall he was automatic against right-handed hitters holding them to a .188 average and he could be called upon to get some big outs against right-handed batters.

Dustin May pitched five innings in games that were classified as “close” and did not allow a single run while striking out nine. The opposition hit just .222 against him in close games. Expect the Dodgers to call upon May to pitch in a setup type role for the middle innings of games. With postseason adrenaline behind him, he could pound the strike zone his 98-99 MPH sinker and shut opposing teams down.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run home run in the top of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 29, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Will Smith – X-factor in the lineup

.158/.235/.224 and .107/.264/.200. Those are the career playoff slash lines for Austin Barnes and Yasmani Grandal over the last four years of the postseason. While Barnes and Grandal had their moments, they were largely non-factors offensively for the Dodgers and Yasmani was so bad defensively that he got bench in last year’s World Series run.

Will Smith will enter the 2019 postseason as the Dodgers’ starting catcher and despite a September slump, he hit well in the last week of the regular season, including an 107 MPH line drive home run in the series finale. Smith has as much pop as anyone in LA’s lineup and even if he only records a few hits in a series they could be game changing blows. He is a true home run threat every at-bat.

Defensively Will Smith can impact a game as well with his quick pop time and strong arm but his biggest impact will likely be his power bat. He will likely hit in the 8th spot in the order and helps lengthen a potent Dodger lineup. While all eyes with be on Dodger sluggers such as Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, and Max Muncy, Smith is a big power threat at the bottom of the lineup.

SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 24, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Rich Hill – Rotation x-factor

Perhaps no Dodger player has more uncertainty surrounding them this postseason than Rich Hill. Hill made two “starts” to end the regular season but totaled just five innings. In this five innings he did strikeout nine while allowing just one hit. That was against the Giants and Padres though and the competition will be much better in the postseason.

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For Rich Hill this could be his final postseason ever. He will turn forty years old before next season and if the Dodgers choose to let him go in free agency it could be the end of his career. There is also the chance that Rich decides to retire especially if the Dodgers are able to win their first World Series title since 1988.

Although he made just 13 starts this season, Rich Hill was still very effective when he was on the mound. For the season, Rich pitched to a 2.45 ERA and held the opposition to a .223 average. Over the last three postseason runs, Hill has been one of the Dodgers’ most consistent starting pitchers posting an ERA of 3.46, 2.55, and 2.16.

While the first three spots in the rotation have not been decided, the one known is that Rich Hill will be the Dodgers’ fourth starter. He will likely go four to five innings in his first postseason start but could go beyond five innings if the Dodgers advance to the NLCS and World Series.

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Look for Rich Hill to grunt and grimace his way through the postseason and look uncomfortable doing it with a bulky knee brace. In typical Rich Hill fashion he will leave everything he has on the field. If this is it for Rich Hill’s career, hopefully he finishes strong and caps off his career with a World Series ring.

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The Dodgers have one of the most talented rosters in the postseason. There are still three players who could be big x-factors this October.

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