Top 25 MLB players to watch in October

10. Jake Arrieta

Jake Arrieta took a back seat in the Chicago Cubs run to the World Series last year to Jon Lester, but it may be on him to carry the rotation to the Promised Land this time around. Lester has been dinged up all year and 4.30, which would be his worst full-season mark since 2012. Arrieta’s walk year has not been without its own pitfalls, but he went 7-2 in July and August with a 1.69 ERA.

Unfortunately, Arrieta suffered a strained hamstring in his only September start and will not be back until the end of the month. Leg injuries can be tricky for pitchers, especially when the temperature drops. Even with his chiseled physique, Arrieta is not immune from tight muscles.

The Cubs need Arrieta to be Arrieta now more than ever. He is their best chance to match up against the Max Scherzers, Clayton Kershaws, Robbie Rays and Stephen Strasburgs of the world. Jose Quintana just isn’t cut out to handle that burden, but he is fine as a number-two starter in a playoff series.

Arrieta also needs this postseason to build on his free-agent case. This winter is his one shot at chasing in on the open market. The Cubs have been lukewarm about keeping him long term, but he may make himself too hard to let go for an organization that has already dealt away their top pitching prospects for MLB talent.