Stephen Strasburg and the 10 MLB Stars Missing from the Playoffs

October often brings out the true colors of big league stars. For those fortunate enough to be on playoff teams, the postseason is an opportunity to showcase their skills in prime time.

The rest bid farewell in September, and don't get to play on the big stage. Because of the exclusivity of the MLB Playoffs (only eight teams make it) and the financial imbalance of the league, there are some superstars who hardly ever get to see the postseason.

Who wouldn't want to see Felix Hernandez face Jose Bautista in the ALCS, or Clayton Kershaw battle Jose Reyes on the NL side?

While this year's postseason has no shortage of star power, there are some sluggers and hurlers that we'd love to watch compete in October. Here are 10 exciting players that we want to see in the playoffs:

Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

Andrew McCutchen is a young, exciting playmaker who will be a great center fielder for years to come.

He and the Pirates gave Pittsburgh life past the All-Star break, only to fade back into obscurity during the dog days of summer.

In the playoffs, his combination of power hitting, base-running and defense would be thrilling to watch.

McCutchen is 24 and has plenty of upside. Hopefully Pittsburgh's future continues to improve so we can see him roam the outfield during the postseason.

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

"King" Felix has some of the best stuff in baseball, yet most fans hardly get to see it because he's stuck in the northwest.

Despite winning only 13 games in 2010, Hernandez earned the Cy Young Award. At age 25, he's already a seven-year MLB veteran who routinely gets 200-plus strikeouts and a slim ERA.

He's been baffling hitters since he broke onto the Major League scene at age 18. Imagine the damage he could do in the playoffs with a real lineup to support him.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

He's got an unorthodox windup, but boy does he ever get the job done.

Kershaw became a household name in 2011, with a breakout year to the tune of 21 wins, 248 strikeouts with a 2.28 ERA. He and Matt Kemp were the bright spots in a tumultuous year for the Dodgers.

Although he's already pitched in the playoffs before in his career, there are surely more chapters to be written in his postseason story. Let's hope his team is good enough in the future to help him get there.

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

We all know about Bautista's monster power numbers. What we don't know is how he would fare in the playoffs against the best pitchers in the league.

With 97 homers and 227 RBI over the past two seasons, he's established himself as the alpha male of American League sluggers—in the regular season, at least.

Bautista's game-changing ability is evident in the fact that he drew 132 walks and had an OPS of 1.026 in 2011. Most pitchers don't want a piece of him.

I want to see how playoff aces deal with him in future Octobers.

Jose Reyes, New York Mets

The 2011 batting champ has been stuck in a losing culture for several years, and it will take a monumental effort for the Mets to retain him.

You can't blame Reyes for entertaining thoughts of leaving New York, especially when postseason glory is more likely elsewhere. His ability to hit and move himself into scoring position makes him a fun player to watch. He would be all the more fun if he finds his way back into the playoffs next fall.

Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red SOx

In his first campaign with the Red Sox, A-Gon lived up to the hype. But not the World Series hype. 

Boston failing to make the playoffs means we missed out on seeing one of baseball's best sluggers. He's a pitcher's nightmare because of his versatility, and can change any game with one swing.

Gonzalez will probably have some classic October moments at Fenway in the future, but the Red Sox September slide prevented him from having any this fall.

Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians

Cabrera is one of the most exciting young players in the big leagues, but sadly his highlight reel doesn't extend into the playoffs.

His middle-infield prowess is complemented by his power at the plate. Cabrera drove in 92 RBI while delivering stunning defense at shortstop.

Cleveland's excellence in the first half of the season turned into mediocrity in the second half, so the Indians weren't able to relive their late-90's playoff glory days.

Hopefully in the near future we'll see Cabrera's playmaking skills put to the postseason test.

Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

Everyone has marveled at Strasburg's skills, but the fact still remains that he hasn't pitched in a meaningful game yet in his career.

Let's hope the Nationals change that soon.

Washington looked like a legitimate ball club through June, then faltered and faded. If Strasburg can stay healthy for an entire season, they could make a run at the Wild Card. Then the young fireballer will finally have a chance to perform during crunch time.

Jared Weaver, Los Angeles Angels

Weaver is the ace of the Angels staff and one of the premiere pitchers in the AL, and it's a shame that his superb season has to end in September.

The good news is that the Angels are a solid organization that will compete for a playoff spot next year. Weaver has tasted the playoffs three times before, but he's matured and improved. This season he went 18-8 with a 2.41 ERA, along with a career-best 2.1 walks/9-inning ratio.

This maturity combined with his fiery competitiveness makes for a tough pitcher. He will be the arm the Angels lean on to reach the Fall Classic.

Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

Kemp had a breakout year in 2011. He was a Triple Crown threat and a fantasy baseball machine.

Here's how much of an offensive threat he was: he scored 115 runs while driving in 126, and blasted 39 home runs while stealing 40 bases.

Bud Selig must cry just thinking about the fact that this marketable superstar is already on vacation. His phenomenal season was overshadowed by the Dodger's ownership fiasco and mediocre record.

If the Dodgers can reach the NLCS again like they did in 2008 and 2009, Kemp will be counted on to be a prime-time hero.

Honorable Mentions

Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs

Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals

Heath Bell, San Diego Padres

Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles

Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants