MLB Postseason: Every Contenders Most Clutch Playoff Performer

When the game is on the line in the MLB postseason, which player on every contending team has the greatest chance of coming through in the clutch?

Players like Mariano Rivera and Albert Pujols have played so well in the postseason, that it makes you wonder if they truly do have ice in their veins. On the other hand, emerging stars like Arizona Diamondbacks Justin Upton haven't had the opportunity to prove themselves as a clutch playoff performer.

With the MLB regular season soon coming to a close, here is a list of each contending team's most clutch postseason performer.

Philadelphia Phillies: Cliff Lee

Before Cliff Lee's outing against the San Francisco Giants in the first game of the 2010 World Series, some were calling him the best postseason pitcher of all time.

Despite the fact that Lee gave up six earned runs in 4.2 innings in that game, he has still compiled a 7-2 lifetime record with a 2.13 ERA.

New York Yankees: Mariano Rivera

Who else would it be?

Mariano Rivera is arguably one of the most dominate pitchers to ever toe the rubber in the postseason. And when I say dominant, I mean a .071 ERA in over 139 innings pitched.

Now that Rivera has the most all-time saves with 602, we can officially call Rivera the best closer in the history of MLB.

Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander

It is complicated trying to pick the Detroit Tigers most clutch playoff performer because very few players on their roster have any postseason experience.

An interesting candidate would be Justin Verlander, who has already had some postseason exposure under his belt. However, it was his rookie year, so pitching on the big stage might have put him on edge a little bit.

After a stellar 2011 season, Verlander is tempting us to call him the best pitcher in all of baseball. His 24-5 record with a 2.29 ERA and 0.90 WHIP seem to back that up.

Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun is one of the more underrated players in all of baseball.

Yes, I said it.

Even though Braun does receive some recognition for being one of the better players in baseball, he still deserves more credit.

Braun is quietly putting together another fantastic season in 2011 by being one of two players to already join the 30/30 club. All together, Braun is batting .333 with 31 home runs, 105 RBI and 31 stolen bases.

With Prince Fielder batting behind Braun in the Brewers lineup, I can't think of a scarier one-two punch in all of MLB.

Texas Rangers: Nelson Cruz

Even though Nelson Cruz has only made it to the postseason once in his career, it certainly was an impressive stretch.

In the 2010 playoffs, Cruz batted .313, and coupled that with six home runs. One of those big flies came in Game 5 of the World Series when the Texas Rangers had their backs up against the wall.

Cruz was the first Ranger to hit much of anything off of Giants' ace Tim Lincecum, which made for quite an impressive feat.

Atlanta Braves: Chipper Jones

Somehow and someway, Chipper Jones finds a way to keep on doing it.

At 39 years old and 18 seasons in the bigs, Jones still finds himself as one of the most dependable players on a talented Atlanta Braves roster.

In 11 postseason appearances, Jones has a .288 batting average with 13 home runs and 47 RBI.

Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz

David Ortiz is the epitome of a clutch hitter in the postseason.

He earned that title in the 2004 ALCS against the New York Yankees when he hit three home runs and drove in 11. Big Papi played a key role in all four wins against the Yankees, and it turned out to be one of the most impressive performances in a  playoff series ever seen.

Ortiz hasn't even thought about slowing down yet, and his .314 batting average and 29 home runs in 2010 certainly drive that point home.

Tampa Bay Rays: Johnny Damon

While you were sitting there reminiscing about David Ortiz's performance in the 2004 MLB postseason, Johnny Damon might have popped into your head as well.

Back in the good ol' long-haired Johnny Damon days, he was actually one of the more productive postseason players on Boston's roster. However, he will be forever known as the man who hit two home runs in the clinching game of the 2004 ALCS.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Upton

The Arizona Diamondbacks only have a small handful of players on their roster who have playoff experience.

While Justin Upton is not one of those players, he soon will be. Upton is the Diamondbacks offensive juggernaut, and he will likely continue on his tear once his team reaches the postseason.

San Francisco Giants: Carlos Beltran

Not many baseball players can match the type of postseason numbers Carlos Beltran has put up in the limited time he had.

In fact, I don't think anyone can.

In just two years, Beltran has accumulated a .366 batting average with 11 home runs and 19 RBI.

Now you know why the Giants aggressively perused Beltran at the trade deadline...

St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols

Not much room for debate here.

Albert Pujols is the best player in baseball at the moment, and he has no trouble carrying that title over to the postseason.

In five postseason appearances, Pujols has batted .322 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI.

Nuff' said.