10 Reasons This Year's MLB Playoffs Will Be Must-Watch Theater

From the always unpredictable Yasiel Puig to heavyweight matchups between aces like Adam Wainwright and Clayton Kershaw, the 2014 MLB playoffs promise to be must-watch theater. 

Over in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles will be looking to snap a 31-year streak. David Price has his own struggles that he'll be attempting to put in the rear-view mirror, and Albert Pujols will try to make yet another addition to his already crowded trophy shelf. 

The St. Louis Cardinals Play the Role of the Underdog

Entering the season, it was World Series or bust for the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Then the season actually happened. The Cardinals, who lost the 2013 Fall Classic in six games to the Boston Red Sox, didn't gain sole possession of first place in the National League Central until the first day of September.

The biggest problem for the club throughout the year, and the most glaring red flag as the squad embarks upon October baseball, is the fundamental inability to score runs. The Cardinals checked in as the No. 23 team in MLB in that category during the regular season. 

There's no question that St. Louis is the weakest of the three NL division champs, and it won't be easy to book a return trip to the World Series. The path begins with a five-game division series clash against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

One member of the team who is definitely up for the challenge is staff ace Adam Wainwright. The right-hander finished the year with a 2.38 ERA and piled up 20 wins for the second time in his career. 

All the Battles of the Aces

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The best part of October is the unreal pitching matchups. 

There promises to be all sorts of can't-miss duels this year, and it starts Friday with Game 1 of the NLDS between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. 

While Adam Wainwright is slated to get the call for the Cardinals, Clayton Kershaw is due to get the nod for the back-to-back NL West champs. As Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com notes, this isn't the first time that the aces have squared off against each other. In three encounters, the Cardinals lead the series two games to one.  

While Kershaw vs. Wainwright will be the first heavyweight fight of the playoffs, it certainly won't be the last. 

Albert Pujols Goes for the Hat Trick

Now 34 years old, Albert Pujols will never be the same type of offensive force that he was during his days with the St. Louis Cardinals when he laid waste to the NL. 

Of course, the veteran is no slouch, either. In 2014, Pujols cracked 37 doubles and 28 home runs while driving in 105 runs for the Los Angeles Angels. As the AL West winners take part in the postseason for the first time since 2009, their first baseman will be on the lookout for his third World Series title. 

Pujols has already cemented his status as one of the most fearsome hitters of recent memory. Now, he has the chance to add another ring to his historically impressive resume. 

You Never Know What to Expect with Yasiel Puig

Yasiel Puig is the most polarizing player in baseball. 

For some, the Cuban is one of the most electric, entertaining, and admittedly eccentric players in MLB. On the other hand, there are those who have more of the Madison Bumgarner view of the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder. 

Bumgarner and Puig have already been involved in a couple of exchanges this season. As you can see in the MLB.com video above, the benches cleared at Dodger Stadium on September 23 when the left-hander pegged Puig in the foot with a cutter. 

Bumgarner told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that it was all just a mistake: "He'll know if it's on purpose. I'll make sure of that. Which it wasn't. Obviously."

The rivals could potentially meet in the NLCS. Even if they don't, there's no question that for better or worse, Puig will play a big part in how the playoffs end up for the Dodgers. He could just as easily make a costly throwing error or hit a game-winning home run. For my part, I've already predicted that he'll be the World Series MVP. 

David Price Gets the Chance to Prove That He Can Succeed in October

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David Price has an excellent track record.

The left-handed starter is the 2014 MLB strikeout leader, a four-time All-Star and the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner. However, there is one time of the year when Price has yet to enjoy much success: October. 

In nine career postseason outings, Price owns a 1-4 record and an unsightly 5.04 ERA. Price is confident that he'll put those ugly numbers in the past, as he explained to Ashley Dunkak of CBS Detroit back when he joined his new club in August: "I know I can pitch in the postseason."

Price will get the chance to prove his point when the Tigers open up the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles. Price will get the call for Game 2 of the series, as James Schmehl of MLive.com reports. 

The Baltimore Orioles Look to End Their World Series Drought

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It's been awhile since the Baltimore Orioles have won a World Series title—31 years to be exact.

That's over 11,000 days since the O's were the kings of baseball. This year, manager Buck Showalter's club has a legitimate shot to put an end to that streak. With Nelson Cruz leading the way, the Orioles have the most powerful lineup of all the teams taking part in the playoffs. During the regular season, Baltimore led MLB with 211 home runs. 

The team's pitching staff doesn't look overwhelming on paper, but the numbers indicate that the group is seriously underrated. In the bullpen, the Orioles can call on dominant relievers like Zach Britton and Darren O'Day. In addition, Baltimore's pitchers posted the lowest ERA in baseball in the second half of the season. 

Matt Kemp Can Become a Playoff Hero for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Back in July, both Matt Kemp and at least one misguided writer thought it was time for the outfielder and the Los Angeles Dodgers to part ways. 

It's a good thing general manager Ned Colletti wasn't listening. 

Following the All-Star break, Kemp hit .309 with a .606 slugging percentage, a .971 OPS and 17 home runs. The right fielder dismantled NL pitching in the month of September as he went yard nine times. After an ankle injury ruined his postseason plans a season ago, Kemp is on track to be a big-time contributor for the Dodgers this time around. 

The Starting Rotation of the Washington Nationals Might Never Allow a Run

The playoffs are all about pitching, which is great news for the Washington Nationals.

The club's starting staff is headlined by Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister, who are all dealing as the postseason kicks off. Strasburg is carrying a 20-inning scoreless streak into the playoffs, Zimmermann threw a no-hitter on the final day of the season, and Fister posted a 2.03 ERA in his final 10 starts. 

Gio Gonzalez figures to occupy the No. 4 spot in the playoff rotation. As Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post points out, that means that the team's four starters didn't allow a single run in their final go-around through the rotation. 

Justin Verlander Is Regaining His Form at Just the Right Time

For much of the season, Justin Verlander was one of the least effective starting pitchers in the AL. 

The veteran carried a 4.88 ERA into the All-Star break and also had plenty of struggles throughout the second half of the season. However, Verlander appears to have turned the corner at just the right moment. 

"It seemed like it came together at the end of the season for me, the last couple starts," said Verlader via James Schmehl of MLive.com. "Hopefully, I just keep riding that momentum and keep that going into the postseason." 

Last year, Verlander was lights out in the playoffs, as he put up a 0.39 ERA in three starts. 

Clayton Kershaw Has the Opportunity to Continue His Historical Run

Just how good was Clayton Kershaw in 2014?

By winning 21 of his 27 starts, the left-hander became the first pitcher to accomplish that feat since 1880, according to ESPN Stats & Info. In 26 of those outings, Kershaw allowed three earned runs or less.

While he was nearly unbeatable during the regular season, the starter did run into trouble last year when he faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. In Game 6 of that series, St. Louis torched Kershaw for seven runs on 10 hits in four innings of work.

Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com. 

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.