Five Bats Carrying October Into the Division Series

Two games into October and the Wild Card round already has its heroes. Three series ended in sweeps, one is headed to a winner-take-all Game 3, and a handful of bats did most of the damage. Here are the five hitters who carried their clubs out of the first round, and where they go next.

Ben Rice, Yankees

Rice spent the regular season as one of the most dangerous bats in the American League, launching 41 home runs, sixth-most of any qualified hitter. Then October showed up and he got louder. In Game 1 against Boston he homered in the fifth, drove in another run in the seventh, and put the night away in the eighth with a two-out grand slam to center. He finished the sweep 5-for-9 with two homers and six RBI, the best line of anybody in the round.

Chase Meidroth, White Sox

The White Sox didn't just get past Houston, they swept them, and Meidroth was in the middle of both wins. He drove in a run with a single in Game 1, then broke Game 2 open in the sixth with a three-run homer to left. That's 4-for-7 with four RBI from a guy who hit 16 homers all season. October has a way of finding new names.

Manny Machado, Padres

Machado's regular season was a grind, a .217 average with 30 homers. None of that mattered in Game 1 against the Cubs. He homered to center in the first, doubled home Fernando Tatis in the third, and San Diego rolled 8-0 on the way to a sweep. This is the version of Machado the Padres pay for.

Alec Bohm, Phillies

Bohm owns the biggest swing of the round so far. With Game 2 tied in the 10th and the Phillies one loss from going home, he took one out to right field for a 4-3 lead that held up. He also doubled in Kyle Schwarber in the first inning of Game 1. Philadelphia and Atlanta play Game 3 Thursday night, and Bohm is the reason there is one.

Michael Harris II, Braves

Harris hasn't driven in a run yet, but he's 4-for-8 and on base in front of the guys who can. He had a strong regular season, hitting .294 with 26 homers, and Atlanta needs that table-setter one more night. If the Braves win Game 3, Harris is a big reason why.

Up next

The Division Series starts Saturday. The White Sox open in Cleveland, the Yankees head to Tampa Bay, and the Padres travel to Milwaukee. Whoever survives Phillies vs. Braves keeps the NL side moving. Pick your team, rip a pack, and follow your tabs live in the Arena.