September Surges: Four MLB Stars Set for a Late-Season Rebound

Things have not been looking up for Kyle Tucker in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that could change with a hot September. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

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The 2026 Major League Baseball campaign has fallen short of expectations for several high-profile, highly compensated players who were expected to anchor their teams’ playoff aspirations. After five months of underperformance, drawing the ire of fans and front offices alike, these athletes face a critical juncture as the calendar turns to September. For many, there remains ample time to rewrite their narratives in the final month of the regular season:

As the calendar flips to September on Tuesday, here is a look at those who can put everything in the rearview mirror and redeem themselves when the lights are the brightest:

Kyle Tucker

Signed to a massive four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kyle Tucker was anticipated to be a cornerstone of the franchise’s championship ambitions. However, his debut season in Los Angeles has struggled immensely, with the outfielder posting a modest .229 batting average, a career-low OBP since 2019, and just 11 home runs, resulting in a negative -0.2 bWAR. Despite the widespread disappointment from the Dodgers faithful, the team remains a lock for the postseason (100% probability per FanGraphs) and is locked in a fierce battle with the Milwaukee Braves for the National League’s top seed. A triumphant September from Tucker can be the catalyst needed to propel Los Angeles past its rivals and set the stage for a deep October run.

Cal Raleigh

In 2025, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh delivered an MVP-caliber campaign, blasting a historic 60 home runs to set the all-time record for a catcher and a switch-hitter. He accumulated 7.2 bWAR, led the league with 125 RBIs, and nearly guided the Mariners to a World Series appearance. The 2026 season, however, has presented a stark regression; Raleigh is hitting just .165 with an OPS+ of 79, yielding only 0.5 bWAR despite hitting 18 homers. While the Mariners have underperformed as a unit, sitting four games out of the division lead and the final wild card, Raleigh’s track record of carrying the team on his back in late 2025 suggests he has the power to spark a late-season push and lift Seattle into October.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The Toronto Blue Jays secured their franchise cornerstone by locking up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a historic 14-year, $500 million extension. He followed it up with a stellar 2025, slashing .292/.381/.467 with 23 home runs and delivering a postseason for the ages. Conversely, his 2026 campaign has been plagued by struggles, posting an OPS+ 10% below league average and just seven home runs on the year. While historically a slow start has been his forte, Guerrero’s elite career average suggests a late-season flip is possible. Currently sitting in last place in the AL East but just 2.5 games back of a wild card slot, a resurgent September from the slugger could silence critics and spearhead a Blue Jays playoff push.

The Blue Jays’ postseason hopes hinge on unlocking the full potential of Guerrero and the rest of the lineup to climb out of the AL East basement.

Edwin Díaz

Acquired by the Dodgers in a high-profile bidding war with the New York Mets, Edwin Díaz signed a three-year, $69 million deal expecting to anchor the back end of Los Angeles’ bullpen. Last year, he dominated with a 1.63 ERA over 66-1/3 innings. However, injuries have severely limited his 2026 season to just 13-2/3 innings, yielding an unsustainable 11.65 ERA and a high WHIP of 2.561. With Los Angeles relying heavily on clutch bullpen performances to capture a third consecutive World Series title, the two-time All-Star has a prime opportunity to recover his elite form, shorten games in the pennant run, and solidify the Dodgers’ championship legacy.

Never Too Late

Baseball history is filled with late bloomers and unlikely postseason heroes who overcome regular-season slumps. Whether it is a Bucky Dent or a Scott Spiezio, clutch performances in September frequently write lasting memories. The current group of underperforming stars—including Tucker, Raleigh, Guerrero Jr., and Díaz—possesses the caliber of talent necessary to carry their teams into October and genuinely alter the perceptions of their skeptical fan bases.

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