Part 3/7:
Despite his remarkable performance in the regular season, the postseason saw a dramatic downturn in Clase’s effectiveness. In the playoffs, he allowed three homers and more earned runs in just seven appearances than in his regular-season outings. This stark contrast begs the question: how could a pitcher who excelled during the regular season face such a fall from grace in the postseason?
The postseason landscape is vastly different from the regular season, often introducing variables that can heavily influence a player's performance. Increased adrenaline, altered usage patterns, and high-leverage situations all contribute to a distinct environment that can significantly affect a pitcher’s execution and results.