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FanGraphs | Rian Watt: Anthony Rendon was the most underrated player in baseball, and that has changed somewhat this year as his Nationals have clinched the pennant. Rendon has a similar amount of WAR since 2017 as Christian Yelich, and as much as Jose Altuve since 2013, and pitchers have come to recognize that by giving him even less stuff in the zone. It’ll also change the conversation when he certainly signs his mega-deal this offseason.
Baseball Prospectus | Rob Mains ($): wRC+ is not very kind to the Rockies, which has listed them as below-average in every season of their existence. DRC+ is much kinder, giving them a few decent years along the way. This shows how park factors can be pretty flawed, and it’s a consistent theme of Coors Field analysis to underrate their hitters by a certain degree.
The Ringer | Ben Lindbergh: Innings by a starter in the postseason have ticked up for the first time in five years... what gives? Well, when you have the staff of the Astros and Nationals, it makes sense to lean on your best pitchers. The other factor are the dejuiced balls, which make it a bit easier to get through that third time through the order.