Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers are overwhelming favorites to reach the World Series after winning 213 games between them this season.

But MLB playoffs are a competitive minefield. Superstars can falter, and unlikely heroes emerge.

With that in mind, here are the five most compelling storylines to follow as postseason play begins:

SCHERZER’S SINGLE-ELIMINATION SHOWDOWN

The wild-card game is nerve-wracking. After 162 games, two teams play once to decide who advances into the real bracket. After 7 1/2 months of hard work, a season can come down to nine innings.

But the Washington Nationals can find reassurance in Max Scherzer (11-7, 2.92 ERA) starting against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, with Stephen Strasburg (18-6, 3.32) riding shotgun in case he falters.

Scherzer is regaining his form after overcoming back and shoulder problems.

“I feel like I’m still executing better than ever,” Scherzer told reporters. “I’m continuing to make strides in where I’m at. And I feel really good about going forward in the playoffs.”

The Nationals would love to save Strasburg to start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, but they must get there first.

TWINS SEEK TO SLAY THE DRAGON

The upstart Minnesota Twins haven’t won a playoff game since 2004. They posted losing records in six of their previous eight seasons before winning the AL Central.

The New York Yankees are, well, the Yankees. So the Twins are underdogs heading into the ALDS.

The Yankees have knocked the Twins out of the postseason five times since 2003.

“Organizationally, I just say it’s time to slay the dragon, right?” Twins president David St. Peter told SKOR North radio last week. “No time like the present to break that curse, so to speak.”

The Twins were the first team to smack 300 home runs in a season and produce five 30-homer hitters, so they bring big swords into this battle. But the Yankees have pounded the ball, too, despite suffering a slew of significant injuries to key hitters like Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez.

Also, they’re the Yankees.

CAN ACUNA TAKE THE LEAD?

The Atlanta Braves became much better after putting outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. atop their batting order.

“It was a different animal when we put him in leadoff,” manager Brian Snitker said last month. “It’s where he belongs.”

Acuna hit 41 homers, drove in 101 runs and stole 37 bases this season. As the leadoff hitter, he hit .280 with an OPS of .893.

But Acuna has been slowed by nagging groin and hip strains. The Braves shut him down during the season’s final week to get him ready for the NLDS, which begins Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals in Atlanta.

The Braves will need him against one of the deeper pitching staffs in the league.

THE DODGERS HOPE TO REIGN, END DROUGHT

The Dodgers reached the last two World Series. They’ve reached postseason play in seven straight years. They have been there 11 times since 2004.

But they have not won it all since 1988. That black cloud hangs over the Dodgers heading into the NLDS against the Brewers-Nationals winner.

Nobody could use a sunny celebratory parade more than Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who has made 24 postseason starts without earning a ring. He appears to be ready for the postseason after overcoming earlier shoulder problems.

“I feel good going into the playoffs,” Kershaw said.

HOUSTON’S THREE-HEADED PITCHING MONSTER

Justin Verlander (21-6, 2.58 ERA) just reached the 3,000-strikeout plateau. He is a Cy Young Award frontrunner along with Astros teammate Gerrit Cole (20-5, 2.50 ERA).

The two combined to strike out 626 batters this season.

To ensure their arms superiority, the Astros acquired Zack Greinke. He is 8-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts since arriving from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Astros feel confident deploying those three starters in a best-of-five ALDS against either the Tampa Bay Rays or Oakland A’s, who square off in the AL Wild Card game Wednesday.

“This team’s ridiculous,” outfielder Jake Marisnick told reporters. “Look at the rotation. All the way through, it’s hard to find a hole, anywhere.”

–By Jeff Gordon (@gordoszone), Field Level Media