{
  "id": 9565060,
  "title": "MLB playoff X-factors: One player who could swing October for every contender",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/mlb-playoff-x-factors-one-player-who-could-swing-october-for-every",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T14:12:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mlb-playoff-x-factors-one-141232897.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Tampa Bay Rays have a player who could be pivotal in their playoff run, Freddy Peralta. Peralta was a disaster early in the season with a 7.17 ERA over his first four starts with Tampa Bay, but he has recently turned things around, allowing only three earned runs in 28 ⅔ innings over his last five starts (0.94 ERA). However, Peralta's performance can vary, and the Rays could be in trouble if his old version shows up in October.\n\nThe New York Yankees' postseason prospects hinge on the health of their star player, Aaron Judge. Judge returned after missing three months due to a broken rib, but he left the series finale against the Twins with a right calf strain. Manager Aaron Boone is considering the possibility of Judge not being a part of the Yankees' wild-card series, but Judge himself insists he should not be ruled out. The Yankees will need to hope Judge's current setback is just a part of his ramp-up process, as his absence could drastically shorten their October run.\n\nFor the Boston Red Sox, Garrett Crochet has been inactive since April 25 due to shoulder inflammation and a lat strain. Crochet has been gradually working his way back, throwing his first live pitches on Sept. 11. If he can return to form with minimal preparation, he could be a valuable resource for Boston in the playoffs. However, if he struggles to regain his confidence, the Red Sox may struggle to maintain their position in contention.\n\nThe Chicago White Sox are facing a critical juncture in their season with their starting pitcher, Colson Montgomery. The 24-year-old has been on a terrible streak, going 0 for 49 with 29 strikeouts in his recent outings. Despite this, Montgomery still leads the AL Central in home runs, putting his value in question for the White Sox. His performance could determine whether the White Sox can close the gap on the Guardians in the race.\n\nThe Cleveland Guardians acquired Jo Adell from the Texas Rangers on August 3 in an attempt to boost their power hitting. Adell has shown different levels of performance depending on the opposing pitcher, with a remarkable .321 average and .593 slugging percentage against lefties, but only a .209 average and unplayable numbers against righties. His impact on the Guardians' postseason chances will depend on the distribution of left- and right-handed pitching in the AL Central.\n\nHouston Astros' pitcher Hunter Brown was a Cy Young contender in 2025, but a shoulder strain sidelined him from April to mid-June. Since his return, Brown's walk rate has nearly doubled, and his ERA has climbed closer to 4.75 than the 2.43 that made him elite. His struggles could pose a significant issue for the Astros if they cannot rely on him to bounce back in time for October.\n\nThe Texas Rangers' rotation is rapidly shifting, and starting pitcher Jacob deGrom has been a key player for the team. DeGrom has faced various health issues this season, including triceps fatigue, groin tightness, and a recent return to the rotation after dealing with early exits. His ERA sits at 3.86, and his body's ability to handle the demands of October could be the determining factor for whether the Rangers make it far in the playoffs.",
  "summary": "MLB playoff teams rely on key X-factors like Aaron Judge and Garrett Crochet to swing their postseason series. Which X-factor will win a World Series?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}