October baseball is upon us and the heavy-hitting Phillies and Yankees are once again the two favorites to compete in the World Series. Last season, the Giants made an unlikely run to their first title since 1954. This year will it be the Brewers, who haven't made it to the Series since 1982, that get hot at the right time? Maybe it will be Detriot, who hasn't won since 1984. After a wild ride to end the regular season, a case can be made for every team to be a legitimate contender.
Team Name: New York Yankees
Record: 97-65, AL East Champion
Top Pitchers: CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.00 ERA), Ivan Nova (16-4, 3.70 ERA)
Top Hitters: Curtis Granderson (.262/41 HR/119 RBI), Robinson Cano (.302/28 HR/118 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2010 ALCS, Won 2009 World Series, Lost in 2007 ALDS
Team Name: Texas Rangers
Record: 96-66, AL West Champion
Top Pitchers: C.J. Wilson (16-7, 2.94 ERA), Derek Holland (16-5, 3.95 ERA)
Top Hitters: Josh Hamilton (.298/25 HR/94 RBI), Adrian Beltre (.296/32 HR/105 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2010 World Series, Lost in 1999 ALDS, Lost in 1998 ALDS
Team Name: Detroit Tigers
Record: 95-67, AL Central Champion
Top Pitchers: Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.40 ERA), Max Scherzer (15-9, 4.43)
Top Hitters: Miguel Cabrera (.344/30 HR/105 RBI), Victor Martinez (.330/12 HR/103 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2006 World Series, Lost in 1987 ALCS, Won 1984 World Series
Team Name: Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 91-71, AL wild card
Top Pitchers: James Shields (16-12, 2.82 ERA), David Price (12-13, 3.49 ERA)
Top Hitters: Evan Longoria (.244/31 HR/99 RBI), Ben Zobrist (.269/20 HR/91 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2010 ALDS, Lost in 2008 World Series
Team Name: Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 102-60, NL East Champion
Top Pitchers: Roy Halladay (19-6, 2.35 ERA), Cliff Lee (17-8, 2.40 ERA)
Top Hitters: Ryan Howard (.253/33 HR/116 RBI), Raul Ibanez (.245/20 HR/84 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2010 NLCS, Lost 2009 World Series, Won 2008 World Series
Team Name: Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 96-66, NL Central Champion
Top Pitchers: Yovani Gallardo (17-10, 3.52 ERA) Zack Greinke (16-6, 3.83 ERA)
Top Hitters: Ryan Braun (.332/33 HR/111 RBI), Prince Fielder (.299/38 HR/120 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2008 NLDS, Lost 1982 World Series, Lost 1981 NLDS
Team Name: Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 94-68, NL West Champion
Top Pitchers: Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA), Daniel Hudson (16-12, 3.49 ERA)
Top Hitters: Justin Upton (.289/31 HR/88 RBI), Miguel Montero (.282/18 HR/86 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2007 NLCS, Lost 2002 NLDS, Won 2001 World Series
Team Name: St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 90-72, NL wild card
Top Pitchers: Chris Carpenter (11-9, 3.45 ERA), Kyle Lohse (14-8, 3.39 ERA)
Top Hitters: Albert Pujols (.299/37 HR/99 RBI), Lance Berkman (.301/31 HR/94 RBI)
Recent Playoff History: Lost in 2009 NLDS, Won 2006 World Series, Lost 2005 NLCS
