Red Sox vs. Cardinals: Highlighting Players Who Will Decide 2013 World Series

After the 2004 World Series between the two former power franchises, the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals have solidified themselves as perennial contenders.

Both teams now have a shot to win their third Commissioner's Trophy in the past decade.

While St. Louis has appeared in four of the past five postseasons and the Red Sox are finally making their return after a three-year hiatus, Boston can rest easy on the fact it was the first team in MLB history to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series while also breaking an 86-year curse back in 2004.

Things are a bit different now, and there is plenty of star power on both sides. Here are a few names who will rise above the rest and dictate how the 2013 World Series plays out.

Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals' starting pitching rotation has been amazing thus far in the playoffs, as the big four have tallied a 2.57 total ERA through an average of 6.36 innings.

We're of course talking about Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn. However, with all due respect to those guys, those stats are a result of two series against the weakest offensive teams that qualified.

In reality, the starting pitching for St. Louis is very top-heavy, with Wainwright and Wacha a given.

Kelly and Lynn, not so much.

The duo will be tasked with starts against an elite pair in John Lackey and Jake Peavy, so Kelly's and Lynn's ability to stand strong in those matchups will play a major role in the series.

This is especially the case for Lynn, who is the definition of an up-and-down player, at best. The Red Sox lineup will not remain asleep in the biggest series of all, so Kelly and Lynn must be at their best in their respective starts on the mound.

Shane Victorino, RF, Boston Red Sox

Jake Peavy and Co. have plenty of questions to answer as well from a pitching standpoint, but Shane Victorino is a major reason Kelly and Lynn will be a focal point in the World Series.

Victorino has eight RBI already this postseason, and while he's hit or miss at the plate (literally) with 12 strikeouts, his ability to drive in runs when actually making contact sets him apart.

Outside of at the plate, the Flyin' Hawaiian's defense as a long-time player in center sets him apart, not to mention his prowess as a runner on the bases, provided he gets there.

As far as hitters go, Victorino's ability to flip the switch and put together a dominant series is critical.

David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox

Of course, the same can be said for David Ortiz.

Ortiz is a boom-or-bust player, with three of his seven hits going over the far wall, but there is something to be said for his clutch factor:

Ortiz is a legend and one of the best to ever do it overall, but especially in the month of October. While a liability as a baserunner, Ortiz is a threat to change the series every time he steps to the plate.

We've seen Ortiz change history with the swing of a bat plenty of times, so it's almost expected he will do so again here. Ortiz is the ultimate player who will dictate the outcome of this epic rematch.

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis: @Chris_Roling.