4 Players Who Could Steal the Spotlight in the NLCS and ALCS
Credit: AP Photo/Abbie Parr
MLB’s Championship Series are here, and only four teams remain—each one series away from the World Series. This is when players can make their mark on the postseason, as the upcoming games determine each league’s champion.
Who can make a difference for their team? Which players from our communities can step up and help decide who reaches the World Series? We know the usual suspects on all four teams, but who might surprise us?
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) pits the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers against the Milwaukee Brewers. Meanwhile, the American League Championship Series (ALCS) pits the Cleveland Guardians against the Tampa Bay Rays. As the teams battle for a spot in the World Series, these are the players from our communities we expect to come up big.
Some have already made a mark. Here are four underrated names who could help decide what happens next.
Yandy Díaz – Tampa Bay Rays – Cuba
Díaz had a solid season with the Rays, hitting 20+ HRs and driving in 80+ runs. In just three postseason games, he has three hits and no home runs. To reach the World Series, the Rays will need the steady, clutch hitting he delivered during the regular season. Is this the year they win their first World Series?
William Jesús Contreras – Milwaukee Brewers – Venezuela<span id="docs-internal-guid-9090399f-7fff-0363-a69e-c3a1dbdce1c1" style="font-weight:normal"><div><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;background-color: transparent;font-variant: normal;vertical-align: baseline"></span></div></span>
The catcher, who led Venezuela to a World Baseball Classic title this year, hit 18 HRs and drove in 94 runs in the regular season. He already has 2 HRs, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs scored this postseason. That’s exactly the production the Brewers need to get past the two-time defending champion Dodgers and compete for their first World Series title.
Daniel Espino – Cleveland Guardians – Panamá
Espino is new to the majors, having been promoted in June 2026, but he’s already made one postseason start. He’s an important arm for the Guardians, who will need him to pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays, the American League’s best record this season. The Guardians haven’t won a World Series since 1948. Could this be their year?
Josué De Paula – Los Angeles Dodgers – Dominican Republic
The Los Angeles Dodgers have plenty of big names—and the highest payroll in the majors. Rookie De Paula made his mark this season with 10 hits in 31 at-bats. He’s already appeared in two postseason games and will likely have another chance to deliver before the postseason ends. Is a three-peat a realistic possibility for the Dodgers?