Cubs vs. Nationals NLDS Game 5: 3 x-factors for Washington

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 11: Manager Dusty Baker of the Washington Nationals celebrates with his team after defeating the Chicago Cubs 5-0 in game four of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Taylor #3 of the Washington Nationals drives in a run during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on September 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

1. Michael Taylor

Taylor is certainly a much bigger name today than he was 24 hours ago. That’s what happens when you hit a grand slam to help stave off elimination in Wrigley Field against the defending World Series Champion.

What’s kind of funny at this point is the Nationals went out and traded for outfielder Adam Eaton this past offseason. Eaton ended up tearing his ACL very early in the campaign. Part of the reason Eaton was acquired was that the Nationals weren’t 100 percent confident Taylor could hold down an everyday starting job. Taylor suffered an injury of his own and had some ups and downs, but he’s heating up at exactly the right time.

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In the month of September, Taylor hit .283 with a .860 OPS. He also responds well to hitting higher in the order, carrying a .381 average and a whopping 1.029 OPS from the No. 2 hole. Admittedly, that is only a 21-at-bat sample size. However, Taylor has a massive split in his home and away stats. He hits for a paltry .229 average on the road while he carries a .313 average at home. He can also wreak havoc on the basepaths. Taylor stole 17 bags during the regular season and could prove to be a nuisance if he reaches base in Game 5. Taylor is my bet to change the course of the game if it isn’t one of the star offensive players for Washington.

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