MLB: Who will be the biggest x-factors in the playoff chase?

1B/DH Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera is awesome, and there’s little disputing that. But Cabrera has been hobbled by a right ankle injury of late, and while he’s still been playing, his power has clearly been affected – his 19 home runs entering play on September 4 are the second-lowest of his career (he had 12 in his rookie year) and easily the lowest total he’s ever had as a Tiger (he had 30 in 2011). Cabrera can still hit, but he’s had five home runs since the start of July (and two of them came on September 1 against the Cleveland Indians, his first home runs since August 2).

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has said it’s possible Cabrera will be rested more in September, but the Tigers might not have that luxury. Detroit is a game-and-a-half behind division-leading Kansas City, but it’s only a half-game ahead of Seattle for the second Wild Card spot. The Tigers rotation is good enough to win the division (even with Justin Verlander struggling) with a healthy Cabrera, and Cabrera at even 75 percent is better than most of the rest of the league, but it’s clear some days are more difficult for Miggy than others. Ausmus will need to balance the team’s needs with Cabrera’s health, and hope the ankle doesn’t get worse, or else the Tigers could be on the outside looking in come October.