Could Alex Avila Be the Detroit Tigers' Postseason Hero in 2013?

Heroes are born in October.

Every year, it seems like an MLB star emerges from relative obscurity during the playoffs, becoming a household name by the end of the month.

This year, that unlikely hero could be Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila.

I have been one of Avila's biggest critics this season, and have even suggested getting rid of him, but you can't argue with the stats Avila has put up in the month of September.

After going the first five months of the season with a .198 average, nine home runs and 39 RBI, the 26-year-old has been tearing the cover off the ball, batting .345 with two home runs and seven RBI through 20 games this month.

With five games to go in the regular season, and an American League Central Championship all but locked up, Avila is getting hot at the right time, and will look to carry his momentum into the postseason.

Avila missed a lot of time the first few months of the season due to various injuries and a lack of production, but this month, the Tigers catcher has been in the lineup for all but two games and has made the most out of his increased playing time.

He's still having trouble with consistency, failing to earn a hit in 10 of the 20 games he's played this month, but when he's been on, he's been outstanding.

Avila earned at least three hits in four games this month which is a feat that lends itself to heroism in October.

If Avila completes a three-hit game in the postseason, chances are, he'll make his presence felt and people will remember the performance.

"Just trying to hit the ball hard. There's nothing that I changed, there's no magic or secret to it," Avila said to ESPN.com after a two-home run three-RBI game on September 15. "I'm just having some luck, some good swings and hitting the ball hard, really."