2011 MLB Playoffs: Ranking the Most Appealing Teams Left

With the way this postseason has played out so far, chances are your team is at home watching two of the four remaining contenders vie for entry into the World Series.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on rooting for the next World Series champion.

Ever hear of a bandwagon?  Well, now would be the time to jump on board.

Let me be your driver as I take you through which teams deserve your passionate following throughout the remainder of this postseason.

No. 1: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers may be more of a feel good story than anything. 

Detroit has faced more than its share of hard times recently, thanks to both its sports teams and the economy.

But finally, citizens have something to root for.

Justin Verlander has been playing some top-notch baseball this season, which he capped off with an excellent performance against the Philadelphia Phillies. 

He gives this team someone to rally around as they hope to move past the Texas Rangers.

With both the Tigers and the Detroit Lions firing on all cylinders, it seems that a slumping city finally has a reason to stand up tall.

No. 2: St. Louis Cardinals

Every postseason has its underdogs. 

And out of the four teams remaining, that title belongs to the St. Louis Cardinals.

They are the only team left that did not win its division.  Ironically, the team that did win that division is still in contention as well.

But just because they get the underdog label, it doesn’t mean they don’t have the firepower to see this postseason through to the finish.

Led by Albert Pujols, they boast one of the more effective batting lineups in the game.  When you rank in the top five in both runs and batting average, chances are you are doing something right.

Everybody loves an underdog.

No. 3: Milwaukee Brewers

Remember that team I was talking about earlier?  The one that beat out the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Central? 

That would be the Milwaukee Brewers.

Prince Fielder has been a godsend, as he finished the regular season second in the National League in both home runs (38) and RBIs (120).  He is a very large part of the reason why the Brewers command a respectable offense.

And don’t think they lack in the pitching department, either, as they are a top-10 team in most categories.

No. 4: Texas Rangers

For those Texas Rangers fans out there reading this, don’t send me hate mail for ranking them last on my list. 

In fact, take it as a compliment.

I placed them last on this list simply because they are the most obvious choice to win this whole thing out of the teams remaining, and I always go against the favorite.

But their talent is undeniable.  Not only do they boast perhaps the best offense in the league, but they also have a quality pitching rotation.

So they could very well be the next World Series Champions.  I just hope not.