*Is somewhere in this list of six postseason stats from six potentially crucial players.
If the Cardinals win the World Series, Adam Wainwright will likely get a lot of the credit. Same for the Red Sox and David Ortiz.
But below are six postseason stats put up by six Red Sox and Cardinals players besides the biggest superstars. These are the brilliant acquisitions and smart signings who helped turn their already-star-laden teams from good to great, like Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal and Sox veteran Shane Victorino. Some of these players are performing well so far in October, and some aren't. And in a week-plus, savvy fans are likely going to be saying that one of them was a surprise key to a World Series championship, whether it's because they kept up a hot playoff streak or because they broke out of a slump when it counted most.
Of course, since we don't actually know who's going to win, we're hedging our bets and picking three players from each team. Somewhere in this list lies a number that, in retrospect, will explain everything.
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0.00 — Trevor Rosenthal's ERA
Armed with the second-fastest fastball among all pitchers who threw 70+ innings this season, the 23-year-old Rosenthal comes from the stout, B.J. Ryan and Rod Beck mold of closer — tough to intimidate, with velocity to spare.
The Cardinals' bullpen is stocked with young arms like Carlos Martinez and John Axford, but if skipper Mike Matheny can get Rosenthal in late with a lead, the Red Sox will be hard-pressed to force the second-year flamethrower into making a mistake. Five shutout innings against the Dodgers in the NLCS, including the Game 6 clincher, has Rosenthal on cruise control at 100 mph. Just give him the ball and stand clear.
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.727 — Xander Bogaerts' On-Base Percentage
This Aruban phenom is just three weeks past his 21st birthday, and while Bogaerts was a non-factor against the Rays in the ALDS, his replacement of third baseman Will Middlebrooks in Games 5 and 6 of the ALCS helped ignite a tepid Red Sox offense when they needed a jolt. With three doubles, three walks, and four runs scored in nine plate appearances, Bogaerts is working on the smallest of small sample sizes right now, but he's undeniably in a hitter's groove.
With his added production in the nine-spot of the order, Boston can keep the hits coming even as the lineup turns over into the Ellsbury-Victorino-Pedroia-Ortiz four-headed monster at the top. That might be a combination too much for even the Cardinals' loaded arms.
Jared Wickerham / Getty
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