Flipping the calendar to September means a number of things: The end of summer, the start of a new school year and a seemingly uncontrollable outbreak of MLB pennant race fever.
It's also the month in which the biggest stars on teams in the midst of those races have a chance to truly earn their paychecks. Some will do just that, rising to the occasion and leading their teams not only to a regular season pennant, but (hopefully) postseason success.
Others will succumb to the pressure and fall flat, leading their club to a disappointing regular season finish that finds them watching the playoffs from the comfort of their living room couches.