Plenty of Canadian content in playoffs

Though the Blue Jays are sitting this October out yet again, there are a few homegrown Canadians that will keep Jamie Campbell and Gregg Zaun busy talking baseball.

Here's a look at four Canucks who are still hoping for a crack at the World Series.

Taylor Green, 3B, Brewers

As recent as a month ago you would never have expected it, but Taylor Green has made the Brewers playoffs roster as an extra bat off the bench. The British Columbia native was quiet in his 20 games of Major League service, offering just one RBI with a .270 average.

Green is a legitimate prospect in the Brewers system, with 22 home runs and a .336 average this season at Triple-A Nashville. In the postseason it is all about natural ability, and the Brewers would clearly rather have their 24-year-old prospect come up in a crucial spot than an offensively inept utility player.

George Kottaras, C, Brewers

For some Major League clubs it is a luxury to have a left-handed power bat off the bench. For the Brewers, they can simply call on their backup catcher George Kottaras.

The 28-year-old Ontario native has blasted 14 home runs over the last two seasons in just 323 at-bats. To put that in perspective, his ratio of 23 at-bats per home run over the last two seasons sits 12th among MLB catchers with at least 150 at-bats. That ranks ahead of notable slugging backstops such as Buster Posey and Matt Wieters, as well as Tigers All-Stars Alex Avila and Victor Martinez.

The Brewers success has put Kottaras in a position to make a memorable impression on baseball history.

Russell Martin, C, Yankees

In a bounce-back season, Russell Martin blasted 18 home runs with 65 RBI and eight stolen bases. It was a nice turnaround that ended three consecutive seasons of declining home run and RBI totals.

While Martin has certainly earned the support of the Yankees fan base, he still has his foibles. In fact, of all catchers with at least 400 at-bats this season, Martin's .237 average was tied for the third lowest in the American League. On the other hand, Martin was tied with All-Star Alex Avila for throwing out the most base runners this season.

His fine performance should be enough to remain the Yankees starting catcher next season despite their incredible wealth of young talent at the game's most demanding position.

John Axford, RP, Brewers

As of now, John Axford is the best Canadian presence in the Major League playoffs. He is coming off a banner regular season that included just two earned runs surrendered over his final 30 appearances (0.59 ERA).

In the postseason, Axford has picked up where he left off with a perfect inning of relief to provide the save in a 4-1 win by the Brewers to open the National League Division Series.

The series is not expected to be an easy one for Axford, as the Diamondbacks were responsible for one of his two losses during the regular season. Nonetheless, Brewers fans and Canadian fans of the Simcoe, Ontario native who has been released by three Major League teams, should have confidence when Axford takes the mound, as he enters as one of the hottest pitchers in baseball.