MLB playoff watch: X-factors for every contender

An X-factor can be the difference between a strong push for the playoffs or seeing contention slip away. Though there are many elements involved in teams reaching the postseason, every MLB club has a player who emerges down the stretch as the piece that helped put them over the top. 

With the All-Star break officially behind us, let's examine one second-half X-factor for every playoff contender. 

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Cleveland Guardians (58-37; 1st in Central): UTIL Angel Martínez

Even though it's been an extremely small sample size, Martínez has so far excelled everywhere manager Steven Vogt has put him. Whether he's DHing, playing second, third, or any of the three outfield spots, Martínez's bat hasn't slowed down since his June 22 major-league debut. The Guardians have been waiting for one of their young players to break out, and Martínez (Cleveland's No. 9 top prospect per MLB Pipeline) might just be the answer. His bat has been a game-changer for the Guardians — the 22-year-old has been their second-best hitter, after Steven Kwan, since he came on the scene. 

If the rookie can remain productive in the coming week and change, the front office might reconsider how to navigate the trade deadline. One of their needs, either the middle infield or the outfield, could be solved in-house with the emergence of Martínez. — Thosar

Baltimore Orioles (58-38; 1st in East): Their farm system

Baltimore's loaded farm system truly is the X-factor that is expected to net the organization a huge return ahead of this year's trade deadline. The Orioles have several pieces who could be traded for, say, someone like White Sox coveted starter Garrett Crochet. And even if they don't end up parting with top prospects to improve the