Key Player for Each Playoff Team to Make a World Series Run

Each October somebody steps up and has a huge postseason and helps there team make a run deep into the playoffs. Each team has somebody they need to step up in order to make that run and hoist that coveted trophy. Here are the key players for each playoff team, if they want to make a serious run at the World Series:

Texas Rangers

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Starting pitcher C.J. Wilson #36 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the New York Yankees on September 10, 2010 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Key Player: C.J. Wilson

C.J. Wilson has been solid all year, but the postseason is a whole different animal. We know the Rangers have the ace, but if Wilson can be a tremendous number two then they could make a serious run. If Wilson can go toe-to-toe with Matt Garza and continue that throughout the playoffs, the Rangers will be a tough out. With the offense Texas has, the biggest question mark is pitching. Tommy Hunter and Colby Lewis have been solid behind Lee and Wilson, but like I said the playoffs are a whole different animal.

Tampa Bay Rays

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

ST PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays winds up to deliver a pitch against the Seattle Mariners at Tropicana Field on September 26, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Key Player: James Shields

            Price and Garza give the Rays a solid top two. But, after those two, there are serious question marks in the Rays rotation. Shields, Wade Davis, and Jeff Niemann have all been inconsistent. Shields is the one called on to be in the rotation for the opening round. Teams cannot afford to just give away games so they have to have solid performances out of Shields.

Minnesota Twins

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - AUGUST 10: Jim Thome #25 of the Minnesota Twins runs the bases after his 1st inning home run against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on August 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Twins defeated the White Sox 12-6. (Photo by Jonathan

Key Player: Jim Thome

            With Justin Morneau out for the playoffs, the Twins will search for power elsewhere. Thome has the ability to provide some serious power, and if he does, the Twins offense will be able to go to another level. In the playoffs, you have to take your game to another level. Jim Thome could be the guy to pick up the power slack. In the postseason, teams need to have the ability to hit home runs and Thome could help the Twins with that.

New York Yankees

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

BOSTON - OCTOBER 2: Andy Pettitte #46 of the New York Yankees reacts during the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park October 2, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Key Player: Andy Pettitte

            This is probably the most obvious one of all the teams. The woes of Yankees starters not named C.C. Sabathia have been well documented. Andy Pettitte was good early in the season, but since returning from injury he has been inconsistent. Pettitte has been good in the postseason and he was spectacular last October. If he can provide backup to Sabathia it would really help.

Philadelphia Phillies

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - JULY 20: Relief pitcher Ryan Madson #46 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 20, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Key Player: Ryan Madson and Jose Contreras

            The one hole in the Phillies armor has been the bullpen. If Madson and Contreras can help bridge the gap between the dominant starters and Lidge, the Phillies will be even more dangerous. The key player could be the entire bullpen, but I chose these two. Brad Lidge has some problems of his own he needs to sure up.

Cincinnati Reds

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 28: Edinson Volquez #36 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on September 28, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-2 to clinch the NL Central Division title. (Photo by Joe Rob

Key Player: Edinson Volquez

            Since returning from injury, Volquez has been inconsistent. But, at times he has been able to pitch at his pre-surgery level. That is the reason that Volquez is starting game one. If he is on, he can go toe-to-toe with Halladay. With the Reds’ offense and their bullpen, if Volquez is able to step up it will be huge.

San Francisco Giants

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 03: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after they beat the San Diego Padres to win the National League West Title at AT&T Park on October 3, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Imag

Key Player: Pablo Sandoval

            For most of last season, Sandoval was the Giants best offensive weapon. If he can hit at his highest level, it would really help that Giants offense. With that rotation, they do not have to have to many runs. But, Sandoval could be the key to getting the runs San Fran needs to make a run.

Atlanta Braves

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Derek Lee #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates the win with teammate Martin Prado #14 against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 19, 2010 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ni

Key Player: Derrek Lee

            The Braves have the rotation and they have the bullpen, but the one thing they are lacking is offense. They have the same problem as the Giants. Lee was brought over from Chicago to help provide some pop at first base. Lee has started to hit better as of late, if he continues to do so it will push the Braves offense in the right direction.

2010 MLB Playoff Predictions

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 03: Manager Bobby Cox #6 of the Atlanta Braves is carried by Matt Diaz #23 during the on-field playoff celebration after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on October 3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves beat

ALDS: Tampa Bay Rays over Texas Rangers in 4

ALDS: New York Yankees over Minnesota Twins in 5

NLDS: Philadelphia Phillies over Cincinnati Reds in 4

NLDS: Atlanta Braves over San Francisco Giants in 5

ALCS: New York Yankees over Tampa Bay Rays in 6

NLCS: Atlanta Braves over Philadelphia Phillies in 7

World Series: Atlanta Braves over New York Yankees in 7

I'm going to stick with my World Series pick from the beginning of the year.