We are down to the final 4 teams for the American League Playoffs. After one of the most entertaining and greatest games over the last 20 years it was only right that the Kansas City Royals came out as winners, since they never made the playoffs after they won the World Series in 1985, and Oakland A’s came out as hard luck losers after their horrid second half of baseball. The only teams left to battle it out on whom becomes the top team in the American league are the Detroit Tigers and their top of the line starting rotation, the Baltimore Orioles and their high-power offense, the Kansas City Royals with their speed and flame throwing bullpen, and last but not least the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and their high payroll offense.
Each team has their own defining X-Factors. An X-factor, in this case, is a player who is key to a team’s success in the postseason or a player who could be a surprise during October. Let us examine each team’s X-factor.
Detroit Tigers:
Joe Nathan-
(Matt Snyder/ CBSSports)
Joe Nathan had a down year in 2014 for the Detroit Tigers. He only had 35 saves and blew 7 of them, ERA of over 4.00, and only threw 58 innings. Compared to his All-Star numbers through out his career even Mr. Nathan himself knew he let his teammates down at times, but that didn’t stop his manager Brad Ausmus from deploying his closer out whenever he needed to. Nathan is a seasoned veteran who has been in difficult positions but that has never stopped him from doing what he does best, and that’s close out games. Closers are an extreme factor when it comes down to the playoffs and expect Nathan to close out the game every chance he gets.
Baltimore Orioles
Adam Jones-
(James Williams/ Sports Talk Florida)
Since being traded to the Baltimore Orioles from the Seattle Mariners back in 2008 Adam Jones has been one of the most consistent ball players in the MLB. He hits for a high average, drives the ball over the fence, produces a lot of runs batted in, has a great eye at the dish, plays exceptional defense, and leads the league in gum chewing (thought that’d be a cool tidbit). Jones is the heart and soul of this Orioles offense that has the firepower to win any battle they are up against. He plays the game the way it should be played and the team follows his lead. If the Orioles look to beat the Tigers in their matchup, look for number 10 to lead the way.
Kansas City Royals
Billy Butler-
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images Sport)
I’m sure a lot of fans expected me to place Alex Gordon or Salvador Perez on this list but I just couldn’t do it. Billy Butler is hands down the best hitter on this Royals ball club. Yes he had a down year in 2014 but did you see what he did against the A’s during the Wild Card Game? He went 2-4 with 2 clutch RBIs. What was impressive about his at-bats was that used the whole field, one single to left and the other to right. When Butler is driving the ball to the opposite field then he is seeing the ball great. When ‘Country Breakfast’ is producing like he has in the past then the offense feeds off it and starts rallying behind him.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Kole Calhoun-
(Dinsle/angelswinblog.blogspot)
Kole Calhoun was the spark plug for the Angels this season. As a leadoff hitter he smacked 17 homers and a handful of those were leadoff homers to start the game. Calhoun is one of those players that plays at 110% but still finds a way to have fun playing. He is one of the reasons why the Angels lead the MLB in wins in 2014. With his power swing, hits for average, and drives the ball to the gap. He had 31 doubles this season and if he is able to start a game off with a double or leadoff homer throughout the post season then he will not have a problem leading the Angels in runs. Calhoun is also a great defender and will help lead the outfield along with Mike Trout.