Fansided

7 MLB stars who have to step up in September

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 7, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) gets ready to bat against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) gets ready to bat against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws a pitch during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws a pitch during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Keuchel

Somewhat surprisingly, Dallas Keuchel emerged to win the 2015 AL Cy Young. His follow-up season has not been nearly as good, but signs are pointing up. Keuchel has posted consecutive months of sub-4.00 ERAs, and August was his best month of the season. The Astros have played inconsistent baseball all season, but their offense has gotten rolling and appears locked in. The pitching staff needs to carry more of the load if the ‘Stros are going to make up two games on the Orioles.

The bug-a-boo for Keuchel last year when he won the Cy Young was pitching on the road. He went 5-8 with a 3.77 ERA away from home (compared to 15-0 with a 1.46 ERA at Minute Maid Park) in 2015. That trend is continuing this year, and Keuchel is 5-7 with a 5.42 ERA on the road this season.

Keuchel has had a similar season to Wainwright. The advanced metrics don’t paint as grim a picture as the back-of-the-baseball-card stats do. The Astros hurler does not have dominant stuff, and hitters are able to put balls in play against him. As is the case, Keuchel is subject to the wild fluctuations in BABip — .269 last year to .305 this year. His bad luck seems to be in the rearview, and if it stays that way, the Astros could capitalize on a weak September schedule and jump the Orioles and Detroit Tigers.

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