Joc Pederson
The August 31 trade deadline is coming soon. That means the 2020 regular season is getting closer to the end. With only one month to go, MLB teams have to fight hard for the playoff berths. This September is not like previous Septembers, we are not going to see a lot of call-ups. However, we can still see players who heat up in September to make impacts to their teams and help their teams to clinch the playoff berths.
In the last 3 seasons, who was unstoppable in September?
Joc Pederson, Alex Bregman and Austin Meadows each crushed 9 home runs last September. Austin Meadows collected more than 30 hits. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that Joc Pederson had 61 at bats while Alex Bregman had 81 ABs and Austin Meadow had 90 ABs.
Jack Flaherty did pitch like a strong Cy Young candidate post All-Star last season. The St. Louis Cardinals will truly need him to pitch as dominant as he did last September since they still have some doubleheaders ahead. Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom didn’t take any losses last September. They are surely two of the most dominant pitchers. Dominant deGrom hasn’t lost any games thus far this season.
Christian Yelich was definitely one the most dangerous hitters in the majors. In the 2018 season, he won the NL MVP award. The Brewers would really need him to heat up this September. Tommy Pham and Mike Trout each had 16 RBIs in September 2018.
What a coincidence. Reynaldo Lopez, Luis Castillo and Justin Verlander each tossed 33 innings and had a 1.09 ERA in September 2018. Reynaldo Lopez and Luis Castillo have some struggles so far this season and each of them is still looking for the first win in the 2020 season. Verlander is currently on the IL and it’s unknown if we will see him pitch again this season.
The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was on fire in that September, crushing 15 home runs in a single month. The New York Yankees will definitely need him back in September and rely on him in the playoff. Jose Ramirez had some struggles in this shortened season, the Indians would like to see him bounce back as soon as possible.
Stephen Strasburg and Corey Kluber are both out for the rest of the 2020 season. There is no doubt that they can make impacts in September, however, we have to wait till next season.
Only one month left in this season, this season is too short, but at least there is baseball. Because of expanded playoffs for 2020, this September could be really intense. Some MLB franchises could clinch the playoff berths for the first time in several years, for example, the Miami Marlins haven’t been in the playoffs since 2003 and they are currently in the second of the NL East. The Chicago White Sox are only 0.5 games behind AL Central leader Minnesota Twins. It’s been more than 10 years since the White Sox won the division title in 2008. This September, who will be the hero to help his team clinch a spot in the postseason?
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