Andrei Iosivas, Sal Frelick and Caleb Durbin: three rising role players shaping October storylines

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Andrei Iosivas, Sal Frelick and Caleb Durbin: three rising role players shaping October storylines
Andrei Iosivas

The past 24 hours pushed three names into sharper focus across two sports. In Cincinnati, Andrei Iosivas has become more than a depth receiver as the Bengals adjust their passing identity. In Milwaukee, Sal Frelick and Caleb Durbin are central to how the Brewers build a contact-and-speed blueprint heading into the NLCS. None are headliners by reputation, but each now influences win probability in ways that matter in mid-October.

Andrei Iosivas’ snap share and trust are climbing in Cincinnati

The Bengals’ offense is being retooled on the fly, and Iosivas is one of the few constants trending up. Over the last two games, his usage has moved from gadget and red-zone specialist to true rotational wideout, reflected by a spike in routes, intermediate targets and third-down looks. The staff has leaned into his strengths: straight-line speed that threatens the seam, strong hands on in-cuts, and a frame that wins through contact on outbreakers.

Two things stand out on film and charting notes from this weekend’s loss:

  • Depth of target is intentional. Cincinnati isn’t force-feeding bubbles; they’re asking Iosivas to stress linebackers and slot corners 10–18 yards downfield, where his stride length turns tight windows into catchable throws.

  • Situational trust is real. He’s drawing calls in scripted sequences and late-quarter possessions, a tell that the coaching staff sees him as a leverage beater, not a decoy.

If this continues, expect a compact but high-impact role: boundary go’s to clear space, deep crossers versus single-high, and red-zone isolation where his box-out ability matters. On a roster with alpha targets, being the reliable third option is precisely how you swing one-score games in the AFC North.

Sal Frelick’s contact bat and outfield versatility fit the Brewers’ NLCS plan

Milwaukee’s October identity is built on run prevention, relentless baserunning, and a lineup that manufactures traffic. Frelick is a cornerstone for all three. His value in the last week has been less about box-score fireworks and more about sequencing: extending at-bats, punching line drives to the opposite field, and forcing defenses to play fast with runners on.

Expect the Brewers to deploy Frelick in two key ways against the Dodgers:

  1. Table-setting vs. velocity. His short swing and barrel control give Milwaukee a left-handed counterpunch against high-octane four-seamers at the letters. Even when it’s not loud contact, it’s productive—flares that move runners and demand 27 clean outs.

  2. Outfield run prevention. Late in games, range and reads matter as much as OPS. Frelick’s jumps and routes let the Brewers optimize alignments without sacrificing offense, especially if they rotate corner spots to preserve bats.

Frelick also catalyzes Milwaukee’s running game. The pressure of his first step and reads on pitchers can pull an extra fastball for hitters behind him, and in October, one extra 90-mph heater over a slider can tilt an entire at-bat.

Caleb Durbin’s versatility is the NLCS roster cheat code

Durbin gives Milwaukee something invaluable in a short series: playable defense at multiple infield spots, plus enough contact skill to keep innings alive from the bottom third. In the last several games, his at-bats have been disciplined—working deep counts, fouling off put-away pitches, and punching mistakes with line-drive contact. Add in opportunistic base-running and you have a bench piece who can swing leverage moments without needing three plate appearances to find timing.

How that translates this week:

  • Pinch-run and push. Durbin’s reads off first move and willingness to take the extra 90 feet amplify Milwaukee’s run-creation model in the sixth through ninth innings.

  • Defensive insurance. If game flow forces late infield shuffles, the Brewers don’t have to trade defense for offense—or vice versa. That flexibility helps the manager conserve high-leverage relievers by shortening innings behind them.

  • Bottom-order friction. October is won when 7–9 hitters refuse to be automatic outs. Durbin’s contact profile forces pitch-to-contact staffs to live on the corners for the full 27.

The connective thread: role clarity meets October urgency

What ties these three together is role clarity at precisely the right moment. Iosivas doesn’t need 10 targets; he needs three high-leverage chances and a red-zone iso. Frelick doesn’t need to slug .600; he needs to turn velocity into traffic for the middle of the order while closing angles on defense. Durbin doesn’t need nightly heroics; he needs to be the glue that lets Milwaukee win the margins—an extra base here, a clean double-play turn there.

In October, stars define ceilings, but role players define outcomes. Over the past day, Iosivas, Frelick, and Durbin each earned more responsibility. If they convert that trust into two or three timely plays this week, they’ll do more than fill in the story—they’ll change it.