Power Ranking the 10 Best Potential World Series Matchups

The 2012 MLB playoff field is set, so we can officially start rooting for certain teams to reach the World Series.

I'm already salivating over 10 appetizing potential matchups.

Important factors include geography, individual/team popularity and franchise history.

Each postseason qualifier is represented at least once on this list. In any scenario, the National League would have home-field advantage.

It's hard to recall a past October where the storylines were so juicy.

10. New York Yankees vs. Cincinnati Reds

In 2012, we've seen seven no-hitters, three perfect games and Fernando Rodney set an all-time record for lowest single-season earned run average. Evidently, it has been an easy year for pitchers.

Nevertheless, fans love the long ball, which is why they would be captivated by a New York Yankees-Cincinnati Reds World Series.

They rank first among American and National League playoff teams in terms of home runs blasted at their own venues.

Challenges of pitching at Yankee Stadium and Great American Ballpark include the wind patterns and hitter-friendly dimensions. I'm looking forward to seeing dominant hurlers working with such minimal room for error.

9. Detroit Tigers vs. Washington Nationals

These teams relate to one another on so many levels.

Just like the Detroit Tigers, the Washington Nationals have a dominant rotation leader, elite center fielder, impressive record at home and offensive output of 4.5 runs per game.

Other statistical similarities include their overall OPS, stolen-base percentage and save percentage.

Struggling relievers Joaquin Benoit and Tyler Clippard would put late-game leads in jeopardy for both clubs. Meanwhile, mid-season acquisitions Anibal Sanchez and Kurt Suzuki have caught fire in recent weeks.

8. New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants

The New York Yankees are supported by the largest fan base, domestically and abroad, which is why Major League Baseball is eager to include them in the World Series. Their participation would benefit the sport by getting people to follow the action in every corner of the world.

They don't have a National League equivalent.

However, judging by All-Star fan voting, attendance and their presence on Bleacher Report and social media sites, I'm convinced that the San Francisco Giants would generate plenty of hype, too.

Such a pairing provides countless viewers with the teams they want to see.

7. Texas Rangers vs. Washington Nationals

Despite a combined existence of 96 seasons, neither the Texas Rangers/Washington Senators nor Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos franchises have won a World Series title.

Texas came painfully close in 2010 and 2011 by clinching consecutive AL pennants. On the other hand, the Nats, who had never finished above .500 since relocating to Washington, D.C., have shocked the baseball world with their rapid ascension into contention.

It would be intriguing if they were to go head-to-head, each trying to relieve the suffering of loyal fans.

6. Texas Rangers vs. Cincinnati Reds

It's the classic clash of an unstoppable force and an immovable object.

Of all MLB teams, the Texas Rangers have scored the most runs, while the Cincinnati Reds surrendered the fewest of any NL pitching staff during the regular season. So something's gotta give.

Wouldn't it be entertaining to witness Johnny Cueto vs. Josh Hamilton, Mat Latos vs. Mike Napoli and Aroldis Chapman vs. Adrian Beltre? Fingers crossed that these teams advance.

5. New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves

This matchup would tell us definitively whether or not postseason experience means anything.

Veteran third baseman Chipper Jones is the only player on the Atlanta Braves roster to ever progress past the Division Series round. In contrast, more than a dozen active New York Yankees have World Series rings. That includes manager Joe Girardi, who brought a championship to the Bronx in 2009.

Outfielder Andruw Jones would get late-game use as a pinch-hitter against the team he spent more than 1,700 career games with from 1996-2007.

4. Oakland Athletics vs. St. Louis Cardinals

All competing teams wish they could be at their hottest as the playoffs begin. The success often continues into the fall (e.g. 2007 Colorado Rockies, 2008 Philadelphia Phillies).

Entering their season finales, the Oakland Athletics (eight wins in last 10 games) and St. Louis Cardinals (11-4 since Sept. 16) are playing terrific baseball.

Individuals currently on a tear include Grant Balfour (six perfect innings since Sept. 23), Lance Lynn (5-0, 2.10 ERA since Sept. 9) and Brandon Moss (24 RBI in 30 games).

No two contenders are more entertaining to watch right now.

3. Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals

The Mid-Atlantic states are long overdue for a MLB champion. But 2012 would actually be sooner than expected when you consider how poorly the local franchises have fared in recent seasons.

Wins weren't supposed to come easily for either the Baltimore Orioles or Washington Nationals. Their respective divisions—the AL East and NL East—were deemed the toughest ones in all of baseball.

Yet they keep on chugging, the O's with a league-average run differential and Washington without one of its best pitchers.

Fun fact: The nation's capital hasn't hosted a World Series game since 1933.

2. Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants

A territorial dispute is at the heart of this Bay Area rivalry.

As the financially-strapped A's search for a new stadium and steady revenue streams, their prosperous neighbors continue to deny them access to the San Jose market. The process has dragged on for years, and frustrated Oakland owner Lew Wolff says that baseball commissioner Bud Selig "might as well just tell us no." (via MercuryNews.com)

The all-time regular-season series is essentially split—OAK 47, SF 45. This would potentially be their first postseason meeting since the 1989 World Series and second of the past 98 years!

Both the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants have both lost major contributors to PED suspensions as well. Seeing them reach the Fall Classic despite depleted rosters would be quite a feat.

Imagine the rookie-laden Athletics opposing the 2010 world champions, outnumbered three Cy Young awards to zero and four 2012 All-Star Game selections to one.

The teams began this campaign with vastly different expectations, which is another interesting discrepancy.

1. Texas Rangers vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Nothing would beat a repeat of the 2011 Fall Classic, which went down to a dramatic Game 7.

Both reigning pennant winners retooled during the offseason.

The Texas Rangers added free-agent pitchers Yu Darvish and Joe Nathan. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals bolstered their offense with the signing of Carlos Beltran. Also, the return of Tommy John survivor Adam Wainwright reinforced their starting rotation.

A series between these teams could easily go the distance once again.

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