Top 25 MLB players to watch in October

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox runs back to the dugout after scoring off of an RBI double by Rafael Devers during the sixth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 16, 2017 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

19. Mookie Betts

At the start of the year, there were some in the baseball world openly wondering whether Mookie Betts could begin chipping away at Mike Trout’s status as consensus best player in baseball. It’s safe to say the shark was sufficiently jumped when making that argument. Without David Ortiz for protection in the lineup, Betts’ numbers have severely regressed. His OPS is down over 100 points from 2016.

It’s saying a lot about how good Betts was last year that a season in which he tops 40 doubles, 20 home runs, 20 steals and has an OPS near .800 could somehow be classified as a disappointment. The power numbers are still way up for Betts, but he has made much more weak contact this year.

The Red Sox were the overwhelming favorites to win the AL pennant last year, but they were unceremoniously dumped by the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Betts hit just .200/.333/.300 in the three-game sweep with one extra-base hit. The pressure of the postseason was too much for Boston’s young hitters.

Now a year older, it will be up to Betts to lead the Red Sox deeper into the playoffs this time around. They are almost an afterthought in the AL playoff picture this year, but the pieces are definitely there to make a run. The Red Sox will need MVP Mookie to have any shot at taking down Houston and Cleveland.

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