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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista (19) high fives teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista (19) high fives teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Jose Bautista

In his walk year, Joey Bats has struggled to match his career norms. He has been on the disabled list twice, and his .460 slugging percentage is his worst since 2013. Bautista has not been at full strength this year, and that has bogged down the powerful Toronto lineup at times.

Bautista got hot at the end of August, feasting on the weak pitching staffs of the Minnesota Twins and the Orioles. He needs to carry that hot streak for the season’s final month, not only for his own personal financial gain. Josh Donaldson has been hitting everything over the past two weeks, and that should result in pitchers being forced to feed Bautista, the Jays leadoff man, a steady diet of fastballs.

September has historically been one of Bautista’s worst months. Spending a few weeks on the disabled list could have him feeling fresher than in seasons past. If Jose Bautista has a productive final month of the season, the Blue Jays have to be viewed as legitimate World Series contenders. The Jays will make the playoffs for a second consecutive year regardless of how well Bautista plays in September, but a strong month from the heart and soul of their lineup could mean the difference between winning the division or being forced into the wild-card one-off.

Home/MLB