Five MLB stars who need to step it up in the postseason

With just over a week away until the World Series (starts Oct. 24), two teams are quickly rising to the top. The Seattle Mariners have the Toronto Blue Jays down 2-0 in the ALCS while the Los Angeles Dodgers hold the same lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. However, in a best-of-seven series, it’s far from over.

In pivotal moments, the bright lights of the postseason tend to focus on the game’s brightest stars. For the four teams still in the World-Series chase, here are stars who have underperformed and could be crucial either in mounting comebacks or keeping the momentum. 

Eugenio Suarez 

Suarez was acquired by the Mariners at the trade deadline while hitting .248/.320/.576 with 36 home runs. However, after landing in Seattle, his production faltered, finishing the season with a .228/.298/.526 slash line and adding 13 more home runs to his total, bringing it to 49.

In the postseason, Suarez is still scuffling, going 4-for-29 with one home run and two walks. His return to Seattle – having been there from 2022 through 2023 – has been anything but eventful. By all appearances, the Mariners aren’t quite dependent on him; still, complacency can be disastrous against a team like the Blue Jays.

Christian Yelich 

Yelich is far removed from his 2018 MVP year, but he is still an essential part of the Brewers batting order. In the regular season, he hit .264/.343/.452 with 29 home runs.

In the playoffs, Milwaukee's cleanup man is just 5-for-26 with four walks and no home runs. Yelich may never see his late 2010’s production again, but down 2-0 after their first playoff series win since 2018, his bat is crucial for the Brewers if they are going to have a shot at the club's first World Series title.

Shohei Ohtani 

Just like last season, Ohtani once more posted prolific numbers, likely earning his fourth MVP award. The Dodgers two-way star hit .282/.392/.622 with a career-high 55 home runs and 20 steals. He also owned a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts. However, his postseason has been less than ceremonious. 

Ohtani is 5-for-34 with two home runs, one steal and six walks during the Dodgers’ playoff run. In one start, he pitched six innings while giving up three runs (4.50 ERA) to the Philadelphia Phillies. A clear first-ballot Hall of Famer when he retires, Ohtani is yet to put together a strong postseason performance. However, he’ll likely see numerous opportunities to add that item to his resume if he doesn't this year. 

George Springer 

This season, Springer seemingly rediscovered his prime, hitting .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs, posting career highs in batting average (4^th in MLB) and on-base percentage (2^nd in MLB). His .959 OPS was third-highest in baseball.

In the postseason, Springer is 5-for-25 with two home runs and three walks. As the Blue Jays leadoff hitter, a bounce-back for Springer could set the tone for the team as it tries to dig out of an 0-2 hole.

Randy Arozarena 

Arozarena wasn’t at his best this season, hitting .238/.334/.426 with a career-high 27 home runs and 31 steals, but his reputation as a star is largely centered around his postseason heroics. In the Tampa Bay Rays' 2020 World-Series run, he hit .377 with 10 home runs. This time around, he has been far less productive.

Arozarena is 5-for-31 with three steals, two walks and no home runs. The Mariners’ leadoff hitter hasn’t exactly hampered the team’s performance, but a resurgence could help seal a resounding sweep of the Blue Jays.