Chicago Cubs: Three key players for the postseason

Kris Bryant is the most important player on the Chicago Cubs roster in the post-season.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant may have completed his heel turn on Saturday when he was asked by reporters about the criticism that he has faced from Cubs’ fans this season.

Bryant has received intense criticism from fans this season given his offensive struggles. Bryant hit .206/.293/.351/.644 for the Cubs this season in 34 games while hitting 4 home runs and driving in 11 runs. Given the lack of power shown offensively this season and injuries limiting the games that he has played, many fans have already given up on the former National League Rookie of Year and National League Most Valuable Player.

Not only did Bryant respond to his critics with his words on Saturday, but he also responded with his bat. In Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, Bryant went 2-4 with a Grand Slam. Bryant followed his Saturday performance up with another impressive day at the plate on Sunday as he went 2-4 once again with a solo home run.

The Kris Bryant that was on display on Saturday and Sunday against the White Sox, is the Kris Bryant that the Cubs will need in the playoffs.

The evidence of that is by how Bryant propelled the Cubs during their 2016 World Series Run.

During the Cubs run in 2016, Bryant hit; .375/.412/.688/1.099 with a home run against the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS; .304/.407/.435/.842 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS; and .269/.387/.500/.887 against the Cleveland Indians in the World Series along with 2 important home runs.

Bryant was the catalyst for the Cubs’ offense in the 2016 post-season and he will need to be that again in 2020 if the Cubs expect to advance past the Miami Marlins in the National League Wild Card Round.

While the Cubs will need to depend on Bryant to ignite the offense, they will need veteran Jon Lester to stabilize the starting rotation.