Picking Each Wild-Card Contender's Pitcher You'd Most Trust in 1-Game Playoff

The MLB postseason has been modified to include one-game playoffs between American and National League wild-card teams.

In those win-or-go-home matchups—scheduled for October 5, 2012—qualifying teams should only be sending their most trustworthy pitchers to the mound.

Unfortunately, they may not have that luxury. Without enough breathing room in the standings down the stretch, managers of wild-card contenders won't be able to align their starting rotations as desired or give their key relievers sufficient rest.

I have excluded the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals from this article. Barring improbable collapses, their divisional leads of six-plus games entering August 24 will hold up through season's end.

But I picked out the strongest single-game options for every other competitive club.

Arizona Diamondbacks: J.J. Putz

Arizona Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz has very quietly rebounded from a rough first half of the season.

He's unlikely to reach the 40-save mark for a second consecutive year, but only because the D-Backs haven't given him many leads to work with. Nonetheless, his sub-3.00 ERA and outstanding strikeout-to-walk ratio put him in exclusive company.

Putz last surrendered a run on June 19. He also hasn't allowed multiple baserunners in any outing since the All-Star break.

Atlanta Braves: Craig Kimbrel

Aroldis Chapman's triple-digit velocity has allowed Craig Kimbrel to fly under the radar in 2012. Apparently, averaging 96.9 mph on a fastball (per FanGraphs) isn't otherworldly enough to make headlines anymore.

Some of Kimbrel's Atlanta Braves teammates—namely Jair Jurrjens, Mike Minor and Jonny Venters—have slumped for extended stretches of the summer.

The 24-year-old closer, however, has been amazingly steady.

Considerable credit needs to go skipper Fredi Gonzalez, who adjusted after grossly overusing Kimbrel last season. More cautious management—Kimbrel gets about two days' rest in between appearances—has fostered dominance.

Baltimore Orioles: Jason Hammel

My decision to deem Jason Hammel the most trusted hurler on the Baltimore Orioles says a lot about the composition of their pitching staff. For the most part, the O's send inexperienced guys to the mound or veterans whose careers have been inconsistent.

The soon-to-be 30-year-old right-hander was placed on the disabled list in mid-July with a knee injury. He has yet to begin a rehab assignment.

Still, there is hope that Hammel can tune up with three or four MLB starts before the playoffs.

At his best, he works efficiently and misses bats. It's easy to envision him tossing seven-plus scoreless frames and passing the torch directly to ace relievers Pedro Strop and Jim Johnson.

Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale

Chris Sale isn't the prototypical ace of a contending team.

He didn't have any MLB starts prior to this season. His velocity has fluctuated and the Chicago White Sox don't believe his arm is conditioned to endure 250 innings,.

But the alternatives are less than stellar.

Some White Sox will be dealing with a playoff atmosphere for the first time, while those who have actually pitched in October haven't fared well.

Sale's excellence against potential one-game playoff opponents is encouraging. Versus the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays in 2012, he boasts a 3-0 record and 0.71 WHIP with 13.3 K/9 (four starts).

Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander

Pretty obvious selection here.

Red-hot Max Scherzer has emerged as a solid No. 2 in the Detroit Tigers rotation, but there's no doubt that Justin Verlander is most formidable.

He never pitches poorly and always provides lengthy outings.

Los Angeles Angels: Jered Weaver

The most impressive aspect of Jered Weaver's pitching is his baseball intelligence.

He doesn't light up the radar gun or dazzle you with dramatic, offspeed movement. It's all about location. Weaver understands how to induce weak contact, and his repeatable mechanics help him execute every predetermined offering.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw is one of the front-runners in a hotly-contested NL Cy Young race.

Strike-throwing used to be a concern, but he no longer has reservations about challenging the opposition.

His career splits are reassuring too. Statistically, the 24-year-old is not affected by challenges posed the batter or venue.

New York Yankees: CC Sabathia

Mariano Rivera would obviously be representing the New York Yankees if his ACL had never torn. Though his body is nearly 100 percent healthy, GM Brian Cashman confirmed (via NESN.com) that the closer's season was over.

CC Sabathia is also a future Hall of Famer, though there is skepticism about his ability to step up in the fall. Historically, massive regular season workloads have worn him down.

His stints on the disabled lists in 2012 may have been blessings in disguise. That time away allowed him to save some bullets for October.

Oakland Athletics: Grant Balfour

The rookie-laden Oakland Athletics are defying all preseason expectations by battling for a wild-card spot.

With the season in jeopardy, it's unlikely that manager Bob Melvin would put his faith in a first-year player.

The ageless Bartolo Colon was in a groove before his failed drug test was announced. Now, he won't be eligible for activation until late October.

Despite a foreboding surname, Grant Balfour has earned my trust. He has literally been unhittable since reclaiming the closer's role.

Pittsburgh Pirates: A.J. Burnett

Many consider the Pittsburgh Pirates the most pleasant surprise among National League teams. It's fitting that they'll employ one of the Senior Circuit's best bounce-back individuals: A.J. Burnett.

He seldom gives up extra-base hits and frequently generates ground balls—a winning combination.

Burnett was ceaselessly teased by the New York media for his wildness and eccentricity. For whatever reason, he has thrown just four wild pitches since being traded to the Steel City.

San Francisco Giants: Matt Cain

Matt Cain remains poised under pressure.

He maintained a spotless 0.00 ERA during the San Francisco Giants World Series run in 2010. As well, he became "Mr. Perfect" a few months ago with a 14-strikeout gem that included an amazing diving catch in the later innings and several three-ball counts.

Quite simply, Cain is the ultimate big-game pitcher.

St. Louis Cardinals: Adam Wainwright

Eighteen months after Tommy John surgery, Adam Wainwright is officially back.

Better than ever? Well, at least as efficient as ever.

Wainwright has averaged 14.1 pitches per frame over his last nine starts. Two of those were complete games, and all nine lasted six-plus innings.

If given any run support, he can go the distance in a one-game playoff.

Tampa Bay Rays: David Price

Developing first-round draft picks into MLB regulars is crucial, especially when a team has the No. 1 overall selection.

David Price's $5.6 million signing bonus was money well spent by the Tampa Bay Rays. He is already a superstar.

Current players from the Los Angeles Angels own a measly .651 OPS against the left-hander. Baltimore Orioles batters rank even lower at .601. The Detroit Tigers have a combined .554 OPS, which is lower than what Adam Dunn posted during his unforgettable 2011 campaign!

Advantage: Price.

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