MLB Playoff Predictions: Players Who Will Keep Rolling Right Through October

October is almost upon us, meaning Major League Baseball's best action is just around the corner.

Playoff teams don't make the postseason without good play when it counts, and this list recognizes 12 players who have made a considerable difference in September, looking to do the same in the playoffs.

There are no rankings on this list; everyone on it is pretty much equal in terms of importance to their respective teams during the last month.

With that being said, here are two simple criteria to help you understand how the following dozen ballplayers made this list:

1. Runs accounted for in September, whether that be in the form of home runs or RBI.
2. Batting average during the month of September.

And away we go.

Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets

The New York Mets acquired center fielder Yoenis Cespedes in August, but it's the month of September that the team will remember.

Cespedes has posted not only an impressive .316 batting average during the past month, but has also knocked in a whopping 21 RBI. Add in the nine homers Cespedes has crushed, and it's hard to argue that he's been one of the game's best players in September.

Just look at the smooth swing, and hear the distinct "click" sound his bat makes in the video highlight above. Although he won't be playing teams like the Nationals in the playoffs, expect Cespedes to continue producing for a hot Mets team in October.

Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

Although Anthony Rizzo is batting .256 in September, his 17 RBI are enough for him to make this list.

Rizzo has hit four home runs in September, including the above grand slam against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It's impressive that Rizzo's 17 RBI have come off 23 total September hits—there have only been a handful of times this month when a Rizzo hit hasn't turned into runs, something the Cubs must be stoked about heading into the postseason.

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

If Kris Bryant's .357 September batting average isn't enough for you, look at the distance of the home run ball above. It's one of five homers he's hit this month, and he added 19 RBI in September, as well.

Bryant is also hitting .391 in the last seven days with four RBI and one home run off nine hits. The high averages suggest he's peaking at the right time, like so many others on this list.

Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Jake Arrieta's insanely low September ERA earns him a spot on the list, even though he doesn't fit either criteria set in place at the beginning of this article.

No, this writer hasn't gone off the deep end.

Yes, Arrieta is a pitcher for the Cubs. No, he doesn't fit under the two criteria for players making this list.

But he still absolutely deserves a spot on it.

In 40 September innings pitched, Arrieta has allowed just two earned runs and struck out 39 opposing batters. That equals out to a 0.45 ERA in the month of September.

Yes, you read that right.

What's even more inspiring for the Cubs heading into October is that Arrieta has struck out 20 and allowed only four hits in the last seven days. The man is feeling it at the right time.

So, no, Arrieta didn't hit his way onto this list, but his contributions to the Cubs can't be overlooked.

Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

Love him or hate him, the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez can flat-out ball.

Rodriguez finds himself on this list as another player with an iffy September batting average (.228) but one that has made his hits count.

A-Rod has connected on 18 hits to knock in 14 RBI and smack six home runs in September. But Rodriguez isn't only a threat because of his hitting ability, as the above highlight shows.

The dude is 40 years old, yet can still run 19 miles per hour when needed. That's pretty impressive stuff, even if baseball isn't the most physically toiling sport.

While Rodriguez has never been known for showing up in the postseason, this writer has a feeling he and the rest of the wild-card-bound Yankees will make some noise in October.

Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays

Josh Donaldson's batting average during September (.287) and during the last seven days (.286) show that he's been a consistent force for the Toronto Blue Jays as they head into the postseason.

Driving in 14 RBI and five homers in the last month is good. Crushing a walk-off homer just days before the season's most important games begin (shown above) is even better.

There isn't much else to say about Donaldson, other than that there's no reason to believe his consistency won't continue into the playoffs.

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

Jose Bautista has been arguably more valuable to the Blue Jays in September than Donaldson. His .295 batting average is only the beginning of the story.

In 26 hits, Bautista has cranked eight home runs (including the one above) and driven in 23 RBI during the month of September. Also, consider how well he has battled at the plate in that same span—Bautista has taken 22 walks.

While this list is ultimately about individual performers heading into the postseason, the Blue Jays are poised to do some damage with Donaldson and Bautista on their side.

Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

Take a look at the St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Carpenter in the above highlight. That swing is smooth like butter, and it's a big reason why Carpenter has had a successful September.

Carpenter has had 103 plate appearances in the last month, yet is still managing a .291 average in September. His 14 RBI and seven home runs off 30 hits are equally impressive.

But Carpenter's stats have been even better in the last seven days, as the Cardinals third baseman has nine hits, six RBI and three homers, including the one in the highlight above.

He's getting hot at the right time, and his streak should continue into the postseason.

Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Starling Marte has been crushing baseballs for the Pirates lately, giving the team a chance in the playoffs.

Starling Marte has one of the highest batting averages on this list, .323 for the month of September, but his last seven days have been the most impressive.

Marte has hit .344 and driven in six RBI, nearly half of his 16 RBI in September. Again, we find a player hitting the baseball hard and consistently at the right time, suggesting Marte will keep slugging into October.

Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers

Shin-Soo Choo of the Texas Rangers has had a monster September in terms of batting average, as the veteran out of South Korea has batted .411 over the last month.

You'd think that his teammates would've honored him with a bigger ice bath than the one shown above.

Choo has produced 18 RBI and four homers this month, half of those coming in the last seven days. Look for the 10-year vet to continue hitting for a high average as the Rangers roll into the playoffs.

Kendrys Morales, Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals' Kendrys Morales can straight up smash the baseball. Video evidence can be found above.

Although his last seven days have been underwhelming, Morales has had a nice September. He's averaged .326 with 15 RBI over the last month while smashing six home runs.

Expect the eight-year veteran to continue showing dominant power, as he and the Royals head into the postseason.

Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Mike Moustakas has had an excellent last seven days, priming him to continue slugging into the playoffs.

Hitting 18 RBI in September is good enough to make this list, and the Royals are thrilled Mike Moustakas' production has helped them secure a playoff spot after a dreadful start to the season.

While a .275 batting average in September is pretty average, 18 RBI and six home runs off 22 hits is pretty darn impressive. And, while his production has lessened in the last seven days, his batting average has increased to .333.

By now, you know the theme of this list—peaking at the right time is an indication of things to come in the postseason.