DJ LeMahieu Proved in Game 1 That He's the Yankees X-Factor

Game 1 didn't start off great for DJ LeMahieu as the ever-reliable first baseman made a rather embarrassing error on a pop fly. Well, he quickly changed the tune after that, and ended up turning in one of his best games of the year.

LeMahieu came up clutch for the Yankees all night long while at the plate. He drove in four runs, coming off a solo shot and a bases-clearing double, acting as the driving force behind the team's Game 1 win. Oh, and this was his postseason debut.

Yep, LeMahieu has already etched his name into the illustrious postseason lore of the New York Yankees, and it only took him one freaking game. He's now the first Yankees first baseman with a four-RBI outing in the postseason since Tino Martinez achieved the feat in the 1998 World Series.

Tino's certainly not bad company to find yourself in after your debut in October, and there's plenty more records for the star utility-man to catch.

But that stat isn't even what's most impressive about the 31-year-old. After signing a deal with the Yankees this offseason, LeMahieu has completely transformed as a player, going from someone who hits purely for contact into an all-around hitter who is most lethal in high-leverage situations.

I mean, have you ever heard of a player who hits .688 with the bases juiced? It's almost as if LeMahieu uses pressure to completely buff up every aspect of his game.

If that's not the making of an X-factor, I don't know what is. LeMahieu (apart from his mistake tonight) is a nearly flawless infielder, outstanding hitter capable of both parking balls in the seats and driving them to various spots of the field, and most importantly, a good teammate.

While he may be overshadowed by some of his more high-profile teammates, if the Yankees expect to accomplish anything in the month of October, it'll be through their lineup, and LeMahieu in particular.