by Evan Jones '30 on October 1, 2026
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Who Will Define the 2026 MLB Postseason? Four Players to Watch With the MLB regular season winding down, and the postseason right around the corner. While baseball is a team sport, one player can change the tide of a series. This October, four incredible players could have an impact on their teams’ championship hopes. From a rookie pitcher in New York to one of baseball’s biggest superstars in Los Angeles, each of these players could end up defining the 2026 MLB postseason. Cam Schlittler has gone from a forgotten seventh-round pick out of Northeastern to the Yankees’ ace pitcher. His rare combination of size, velocity, and confidence makes him a nightmare for opposing batters. He currently leads the American League with a striking 1.94 ERA. However, the biggest question surrounding him is whether he will be able to handle the pressure of the postseason. If he can continue pitching at an elite level, the Yankees could have a young pitcher capable of carrying them to a championship. While Schlittler could impact October from the mound, Pete Crow-Armstrong has the ability to change the game in almost every other way. The Cubs outfielder has combined power and speed with elite defense in center field. With 45 home runs and 40 stolen bases, Crow-Armstrong is just the seventh player in MLB history to record a 40-home run, 40-stolen-base season. He can steal a base, make a game-changing catch, or hit a home run. This versatility is rarely seen today, and can be valuable when every game starts carrying the weight of an entire season. While Crow-Armstrong’s versatility stands out, Junior Caminero’s biggest weapon is his power. With 41 home runs this season, the Rays’ 23-year-old superstar has developed into one of baseball’s most dangerous young power hitters. His ability to change a game with one swing gives Tampa Bay a weapon that can be especially valuable in the postseason. Tampa Bay may not have the star power of some of the other teams, but Caminero’s power gives the Rays a bat that is capable of delivering when it matters most. Shohei Ohtani may be the most recognizable player this postseason, but his impact goes far beyond his star power. The four-time MVP has shown time and time again that he can produce at an elite level for the Dodgers in the postseason. Ohtani’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him unlike any other player in baseball. On the mound, Ohtani has posted a 1.79 ERA this season, while his 30 home runs have continued to make him one of baseball’s most exciting hitters. However, the main question entering October will be his pitching availability. He has dealt with several injuries, leading the Dodgers to take him out of the pitching rotation for roughly half of the season. Even if he is limited to hitting, his presence will give the Dodgers the edge in any matchup. Whatever happens in the postseason, one thing is for sure: Ohtani will once again be at the center of the baseball world come October. With over 162 games, players have plenty of opportunities to recover from a bad performance, but October does not offer the same luxury. Hall of Famer Derek Jeter once described the intensity of the postseason, saying, “Every pitch, every grounder, every inning means more.” The regular season is almost over, but for these four players, the most important games are still ahead.