The 2017 World Series is a matchup between two of the best teams in baseball featuring elite offences, multiple Ace calibre pitchers on either side, and dynamic playmakers. The Dodgers, however, feature a weapon that the Astros, and most teams in baseball, cannot match.

Kenley Jansen.

With a cutter that has been likened that of legendary closer Mariano Rivera’s signature pitch by no less than Alex Rodriguez, Jansen is seemingly unhittible. 92 percent of the time, Jansen will go to his cutter, but hitters still seem to be caught off guard as it whizzes by them.

Kenley Jansen vs. Andrew Miller

FanGraphs 2017 Zone Contact% - Andrew Miller (Left) vs Kenley Jansen (Right)

Lauded for their heavy workloads and reliance during their club’s 2016 postseason runs, Arolidis Chapman and Andrew Miller are some of the leagues best relievers. Jansen hasn’t been relied on for such a workload (yet), but his 2017 run has been equally, if not more remarkable.

31 batters faced. Two hits. One walk.

Miller was leaned on for over 18 innings last postseason, and Chapman saw action in 15. But let not Jansen’s mere nine innings pitched in the Dodgers 2017 World Series thus far dissuade from his near perfection. Over the past three seasons, as seen in the graphic below, Jansen has been lights out in the highest leverage situations, even better than his elite counterparts. These playoffs, and this World Series, are the highest of leverage, and Jansen has and will thrive.

The Battle of Leverage Situations

FIP by Leverage over past 3 seasons (@John_Edwards_)

The Dodgers bullpen has been superb thus far, allowing Dave Roberts to use his closer in a traditional role. Jansen may not fill the workhouse role that Miller and Chapman have had to in the past, but his role in the Dodgers’ pen is the same. Come into games and leave with wins.

Kenley Jansen is as sure of a thing as there is in sport right now, and will likely be the difference maker when the hardware is being raised in mere days.