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5 players to watch in Nats-Dodgers NLDS

Washington Nationals field manager Matt Coates paints the NLDS logo on the field at Nationals Park, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, in Washington. The Nationals host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series on Friday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON — If we learned anything from the two Wild Card games this week, it’s that the game-winning three-run blast in a playoff game can come from someone as seemingly obvious as Edwin Encarnacion or as completely, ridiculously fabricated out of the Giants’ evil postseason hero cauldron as Conor Gillaspie. When applying the same logic to the Nationals-Dodgers NLDS beginning Friday night in D.C., there are the usual suspects who we expect to impact the series. Near-batting champion and MVP candidate Daniel Murphy, 2015 MVP and postseason terror Bryce Harper, and near mortal lock for the NL Cy Young Max Scherzer lead the way for the home side. Breakout star Corey Seager and best left-handed-pitcher-alive Clayton Kershaw headline the Dodgers. But there are a number of other names whose performances may impact this series at least as much. This is a look at five of them and specifically what to watch for over the next three to five games. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Washington Nationals field manager Matt Coates paints the NLDS logo on the field at Nationals Park, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, in Washington. The Nationals host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series on Friday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth scores on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Rendon in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Washington Nationals' Trea Turner slides home to score a run on a single by Bryce Harper during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig warms up during baseball batting practice at Nationals Park, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, in Washington. The Nationals host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series baseball game on Friday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Josh Reddick watches the flight of his grand slam during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Adam Liberatore and catcher Carlos Ruiz bump gloves after the Dodgers' 9-4 victory over the San Diego Padres in a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Everyone knows the superstars for both the Nationals and Dodgers, but there are a number of other names that may prove just as crucial in deciding the National League Division Series.

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