MLB Playoff Predictions: Robinson Cano and the 10 Best Hitters of October

It's playoff time!

I know fans of the Yankees, Twins, Rays, Rangers, Giants, Phillies, Reds, and Braves are all gearing up with their jerseys, hats, and probably car flags to show their support as the playoffs get underway this afternoon.

What happened during the season means nothing at this point. Every team starts 0-0 and it becomes a whole new, albeit short, season.

For the teams themselves, there are players that become October monsters at the plate. The struggles of their regular season behind them, there's always a new feeling when playoff times comes around that makes them swing a hot bat and help the team in big ways.

But there are also those players who were monsters during the regular season that become equally as dangerous come October.

Here are the 10 best hitters when playoff time rolls around.

No. 10: Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees)

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees hits a homerun in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox on September 24, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Alex Rodriguez has been known to do a disappearing act when October rolls around, though he did reappear last year when the Yankees completed their run to a World Series title.

Through his career, Rodriguez has hit .261 (18-for-69) with six home runs, 17 RBI, and a .320 on base percentage.

No. 9: Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 27: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on August 27, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Twins won 6-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Joe Mauer is one of the more solid hitters for the Minnesota Twins. He's a guy that's going to give pitchers fits at the plate.

Through his career, Mauer has hit .286 (10-for-35) with no home runs, four runs batted in, but sports a .486 on base percentage.

No. 8: Vladimir Guerrero (Texas Rangers)

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Texas Rangers hits a three run double in the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 24, 2010 in Oakland

This will be Vlad Guerrero's first playoff appearance as a member of the Texas Rangers, but he did all of his October damage as a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Guerrero has a .300 October batting average, five home runs, 16 RBI, and a .354 on base percentage.

No. 7: Miguel Cairo (Cincinnati Reds)

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 11: Miguel Cairo #6 of the Cincinnati Reds is at bat during the game against the Pittsburg Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 11, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Miguel Cairo has done a few stints in the playoffs with not only the New York Yankees, but also the Philadelphia Phillies last season.

He's hitting .316 (12-for-38) with one home run, two RBI, and a .350 on base percentage in October.

No. 6: Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia Phillies)

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 14: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the New York Mets on August 14, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Jimmy Rollins has been a big part of the Phillies' success in October including a World Series title. He sports a .318 October batting average, four home runs, 13 RBI, and a .366 on base percentage.

No. 5: Orlando Cabrera (Cincinnati Reds)

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 12: Orlando Cabrera #2 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a double in the fourth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ballpark on September 12, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Orlando Cabrera has playoff experience as a member of the Boston Red Sox including a World Series championship.

In October, Cabrera is hitting .342 (25-for-73) with four home runs, 18 RBI, and a .367 on base percentage.

No. 4: Lance Berkman (New York Yankees)

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Lance Berkman #17 of the New York Yankees reacts after getting out against the Boston Red Sox during their game on September 25, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

This will be Lance Berkman's first playoff appearance as a member of the New York Yankees, and maybe his best shot at a World Series.

He holds impressive numbers in the month of October, hitting .359 (23-for-64) with one home run, 10 RBI, and a .474 on base percentage.

No. 3: Mark Teixeira (New York Yankees)

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 3: Mark Teixeira #25 of the New York Yankees watches the flight of a hit ball against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park October 3, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

When it comes to solid hitters, there's one guy that stands out and makes an impact no matter where he's playing. Mark Teixeira. He's not only a big upgrade defensively, at first base, over Jason Giambi who occupied that position before Teixeira, but he brings more production to the lineup.

In October, Teixeira has a career batting average of .381 (16-for-42) with one home run, eight RBI, and a .458 on base percentage.

No. 2: Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 25: First baseman Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a first inning two-run home run during a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 25, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter

When Ryan Howard's career comes to a close, he may be known as one of the more prolific home run hitters. Maybe not of all time, but he could very well be in the top 10 or 15.

In October, Howard holds a career .382 (13-for-34) batting average with three home runs, 12 RBI, and a .500 on base percentage.

No. 1: Robinson Cano (New York Yankees)

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Yankees drives in two runs with a double in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during their game on September 21, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo

When you think of October hitters, the name Robinson Cano wouldn't cross a lot of people's minds. That is, unless you're a Yankee fan. Outside of that, would you really guess this guy had the best October batting average?

Cano has a career .438 (14-for-32) October batting average, one home run, four RBI, and a .486 on base percentage.