When things get tight at the end of the MLB season, some players show up and guide their teams into the playoffs.
Last season, it was right-hander Michael Wacha, who joined the St. Louis Cardinals starting rotation in early September and subsequently became one of the biggest stories of the postseason, as the rookie took home NLCS MVP honors and pitched his team into the World Series.
Meanwhile, right-hander Gerrit Cole was just as dominant for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, as the flame-throwing rookie solidified the starting rotation down the stretch and played a major role in his club’s long-overdue postseason berth.
But those are just a couple of unique examples. The reality is that every team fighting for a playoff spot likely has its share of heroes.
As we head into the final weekend of the regular season, here’s a look at the 12 biggest heroes of the 2014 MLB pennant races.