Three players who could decide the MLB postseason race

The MLB regular season, scheduled to end Sept. 28, still features several impactful playoff-positioning battles. 

The New York Mets, once sitting at a commanding 55-42 before the All-Star break, have stumbled to the finish line and now cling to a slim two-game lead for the final NL wild-card spot. Chasing them are the Cincinnati Reds (two games behind), Arizona Diamondbacks (three games behind) and San Francisco Giants (four games behind).

In the American League, the 84-70 Red Sox are trying to hold off the surging Cleveland Guardians, who sit just 1.5 games back of the final wild-card position. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners (85-69) and Houston Astros (84-70) are locked in a dead heat for the AL West crown. The Yankees and Padres also remain three and four games behind the division-leading Blue Jays and Dodgers, respectively.

As always, much can change in the final week. These three players have the rare opportunity to swing the postseason picture for their clubs.

Nolan McLean, SP, New York Mets

The Mets’ late-season collapse has been fueled largely by shaky starting pitching. Before the All-Star break, New York relied on a healthy Kodai Senga, a fresh Clay Holmes, a surprisingly effective Griffin Canning, and steady contributions from David Peterson and Tylor Megill.

Since then, the rotation has unraveled. Canning and Megill are lost to season-ending injuries, while Senga is rehabbing in the minors. Former ace Sean Manaea never rediscovered his form, and both Peterson and Holmes are fading down the stretch.

That has placed enormous pressure on the Mets’ rookie trio of McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat. McLean, however, has risen above the rest, emerging as the de facto ace during the club’s wild-card push. In his first six MLB starts, McLean became the first Met to open his career 4-0 while posting a 1.19 ERA, the lowest through a pitcher’s first six outings in franchise history.

He’s slated to pitch twice more: against the struggling Nationals on Sept. 20, and then against either the Cubs (Sept. 25) or Marlins (Sept. 26). Wins in those games could both solidify the Mets’ postseason spot and establish McLean as a playoff weapon.

Cal Raleigh, C, Seattle Mariners

Raleigh has authored the most prolific offensive seasons ever by a catcher, and his Mariners are neck-and-neck with Houston for the AL West crown.

A strong final week could push Seattle past the Astros, ending Houston’s run of four straight division titles. It could also give Raleigh the boost he needs to overtake Yankees star Aaron Judge in the AL MVP race.

Adding to the stakes, the Mariners are currently playing a critical three-game showdown in Houston that could decide both the division and Raleigh’s MVP chances. The Mariners won the first game of the series, 4-0, on Friday.

Isaac Paredes, 3B, Houston Astros

The Astros have endured a turbulent season marked by injuries and roster turnover. Slugger Yordan Alvarez, who has already been sidelined for much of the year, is once again out indefinitely. 

But the club recently welcomed back third baseman Paredes from the injured list. Out since July 19, the two-time All-Star has hit .260 with 19 homers and 50 RBIs across 95 games.

With longtime cornerstones Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman gone, Houston has been forced to reinvent itself. Paredes’ return gives the Astros a badly needed bat. Perhaps he will be the key difference-maker they’ll need for another October run.

Honorable Mentions: 

• Hunter Greene (SP, Cincinnati Reds)
• Jose Ramirez (3B, Cleveland Guardians) 
• Logan Webb & Robbie Ray (SP, San Francisco Giants)
• Ketel Marte (2B, Arizona Diamondbacks)
• Corbin Carroll (OF, Arizona Diamondbacks)
• Trey Yesavage (SP, Toronto Blue Jays)