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6 questions as we await the start of the 2016 postseason

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:47 p.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

Six questions as we await the start of the 2016 postseason:

How will the Mets' left-handed hitters fare against Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner?

I'd like the Mets' chances more if they had not lost Wilmer Flores to a left-wrist injury; Flores tattooed lefties for a 1.093 OPS this season. Without him, the Mets likely will go with a left-handed hitter at first base, Lucas Duda or James Loney, plus two left-handed hitting outfielders, Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce.

For all the talk about the Mets' starting-pitching injuries, the extent of their offensive makeover -- also due in large part to injuries -- is incredible. On May 1, the Mets' lineup against Bumgarner included the right-handed hitting Flores, Juan Lagares, David Wright, Kevin Plawecki and Eric Campbell, plus switch-hitter Neil Walker.

Bumgarner threw six scoreless innings in that game, then allowed four runs in five innings on Aug. 18 against a Mets lineup that included several others who will not start on Wednesday night -- Justin Ruggiano, switch-hitter Ty Kelly and the left-handed hitting Kelly Johnson.

Look for the Giants to run on Mets starter Noah Syndergaard, who allowed a major-league high 48 stolen bases in 57 attempts during the regular season.

Bumgarner in the postseason: 88 1/3 innings, 2.14 ERA, two stolen bases allowed in three attempts.

What happens if the AL wild-card game turns into a battle of bullpens?

The Blue Jays probably do not want to know the answer.

Marcus Stroman will start for the Jays, and Chris Tillman will start for the O's. None is likely to go especially deep in the game, giving the Orioles an edge.

The Jays' 'pen faded after Sept. 1, producing a 4.60 ERA and .775 opponents' OPS; the Orioles' bullpen, in contrast, had a 1.70 ERA and .581 opponents' OPS. Oh, and lest anyone forget, the Jays are now without setup man Joaquin Benoit, who tore a calf muscle running to join their ridiculous brawl with the Yankees on Sept. 26.

The good news for the Jays?

Lefty Brett Cecil had an impressive final month and closer Roberto Osuna rallied in his final two outings against the Red Sox, though he seemed hesitant to pitch inside.

Where are the Cubs vulnerable?

"Vulnerable" is a relative term for a team that won 103 games, but let's just say this -- the Cubs' 6-7-8 hitters, whoever they happen to be, will not be at the same level as their first five.

Yes, I'm talking in part about right fielder Jason Heyward, whose .631 OPS was the third-lowest in the majors, behind only Adeiny Hechavarria and Alexei Ramirez. But I'm also talking about Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Wilson Contreras, all of whom strike out at a high rate.

The Cubs, of course, likely will use David Ross to catch Jon Lester and Miguel Montero to catch Jake Arrieta, and mix and match at other positions as well. Contreras and Montero hit well in September. And let's not forget, Soler was a monster in the postseason last year.

I just remember a rival executive saying earlier this season of the Cubs, "they can be pitched to" -- even their top guys. Well, all teams can be "pitched to," and besides, the Cubs' strength is run prevention. But rest assured, opponents will target the soft spots in their lineup.

Will Craig Kimbrel be an issue for the Red Sox?

Seems crazy to even ask that, but Kimbrel finished the regular season with by far his highest walk rate over a full season -- 5.09 per nine innings, including six walks in his final three appearances.

The Indians, if they fall behind, will need to keep games close to even bring Kimbrel into the equation. Their depleted rotation remains a significant concern; even staff ace Corey Kluber is coming off a strained quad and will pitch Game 2 on 10 days rest.

Still, the Indians are a resourceful group offensively -- they finished second in the AL to the Red Sox in scoring -- albeit by a whopping 101 runs, and their walk rate was the league's fourth best.

A split in Cleveland would raise the angst level in New England to its usual unhealthy proportions, with the Red Sox starting Eduardo Rodriguez and Clay Buchholz in Games 3 and 4.

And if Kimbrel's control isn't an issue in the Division Series, it could be going forward.

How will the Nationals handle Dodgers lefties Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill?

My suspicion is "not well," given that two of the team's top hitters, Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper, bat left-handed and dealt with physical issues in September.

Murphy had only one at-bat after Sept. 20 due to a sore buttocks. Harper reportedly dealt with shoulder issues and then a jammed left thumb toward the end of the season, finishing with a .648 OPS after Sept. 1. And catcher Wilson Ramos, perhaps the Nats' top right-handed slugger, is out with a knee injury.

The pressure, then, is on the Nats' other right-handed hitters -- Trea Turner, Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman. Rendon had an .866 OPS after the All-Star break, though he tapered off in the final month. Zimmerman and Werth struggled after Sept. 1.

Can the Rangers' rotation be trusted?

Not necessarily -- the Texas starters had a 5.50 ERA in the team's last 34 games, raising their season mark from 4.10 to 4.38, ninth-best in the AL.

The big questions are Colby Lewis and Martin Perez; both Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish pitched well in their final two starts. Still, the Rangers are likely to carry eight relievers, giving them a chance to summon the bullpen early if any of their starters struggle.

The Rangers' 'pen is both deep and good; it had to be for the team to win a record 76.5 percent of its one-run games with a 36-11 record. Right-handed setup man Matt Bush, in particular, could emerge as a postseason star. Right-handed hitters are 6-for-61 against him.

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