2011 MLB Playoffs: 7 Veterans Who Will Have a Big September

September is often considered the most important month of the regular season. Teams are battling for playoff positions and individual players are battling for contracts, statistics, and individual accolades.

This month is also a great time to gauge how a player will perform during the post season. These seven veterans will be playing their best as they head into October.

7. Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies

Roy Halladay is the likely Cy Young winner out of Philadelphia, but Cliff Lee has been pitching excellent as of late. He has had at least seven strikeouts in his last six starts and has won all of them.

Lee will continue to roll as the Phillies head into the playoffs with the best record in baseball.  The only way he could slow down is if Charlie Manuel gives him a few starts off to keep him fresh for October.

6. Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

With Nelson Cruz currently on the disabled list, Josh Hamilton’s production will have an even greater effect on the fate of the Rangers in 2011. Texas is just 3.5 games up on the Angels as the two teams are one of the closest races left in baseball.

Hamilton is a .361 career hitter in the month of September. It’s unlikely that he’ll improve on the number this month, but he’ll most definitely be the best bat in the Rangers lineup. Once Cruz returns, he could be even better.

5. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

Cabrera has been tearing the cover off the ball as of late, he’s on a nine-game hitting streak and is third in the AL in batting average at .328.

He is by far the best hitter in the Tigers lineup. The Tigers have been scoring a lot of runs and he has been the catalyst for their offense.

He should have a huge month heading into the playoffs and could easily see his batting average as high as .350 by the end of the year.

4. Carlos Beltran, San Francisco Giants

Prior to Carlos Beltran’s stint on the disabled list, Giants fans were describing him as a disappointment and were disheartened by their trade deadline acquisition.

He’s since raised his average fifteen points as he finally seems comfortable at the plate in San Francisco. The Giants are currently six games back behind Arizona.

If there is any possibility of them squeezing into the playoffs, Beltran will need to have a monster September. However, even if he does, it still might not be enough.

3. Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves

Chipper Jones had a hit in all but five games during the month of August. He's started September off with a three-game hit streak and has shown no sign of slowing down.

He’s a career .308 hitter during the month and has been swinging his best bat of the season. The Braves looked poised to capture the Wild Card, and it will likely come on the back of their 17-year veteran.

2. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees

A few months ago, baseball writers across the country were saying that Derek Jeter was done and that he should consider retirement. Then, he came off the disabled list, hit a home run for his 3,000th hit and has been hitting like the Derek Jeter of old ever since.

The Yankees captain has raised his average 40 points since July 7th and is well on his way to his first .300-plus season since 2009. Jeter has proved that he’s still one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball, and he’ll continue to do so for the rest of the year.

1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander is looking to become the first pitcher to win the MVP since Dennis Eckersley did it in 1992. The clear cut favorite for the Cy Young award will need to have an outstanding month to be the next hurler to accomplish the feat.

Verlander has been dominant. He has won his last nine starts and leads the majors with 21 wins. He is showing no signs of letting up. The right-hander currently leads the AL in strikeouts, wins and ERA. He should continue to dominate as he completes a truly special season.

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