The Major League Baseball playoffs are fast approaching, and baseball fans are buzzing with excitement at the possibility of a Shohei Ohtani vs. Aaron Judge matchup in the World Series.

As two of the top sluggers in the game right now, Ohtani and Judge have been putting up impressive numbers this season. Ohtani recently made history by becoming the first player to have 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a single season, while Judge has smashed his way to 56 home runs.

With Ohtani playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Judge for the New York Yankees, both in the nation’s top two media markets, the potential showdown between these two stars has the makings of a classic Fall Classic.

Of course, there are 10 other teams vying for their shot at the World Series title. Last season, the Texas Rangers emerged victorious, clinching their first franchise title with a 4-1 series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

What to Expect in the MLB Playoffs:

Who’s In The Playoffs? Who’s Still Fighting?

In the American League, the Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, and Baltimore Orioles have secured four of the six playoff spots. The final two AL wild card spots are up for grabs, with teams like the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers in the running.

In the National League, the Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Diego Padres have locked in their playoff berths. The New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Atlanta Braves are battling it out for the remaining wild card spots.

How Does Baseball’s Wild-Card Round Work?

The best-of-three wild card format, now in its third season, offers an exciting start to the postseason. Six teams from each league will qualify for the postseason, with three division winners and three wild-card teams.

The top two division winners in each league will get a bye, while the other four teams will face off in a wild card round. The higher seed in the wild card series will host all three games.

In case of ties in the standings, mathematical tiebreakers will be used to determine the playoff spots.

Rule Changes and Betting Favorites

Several rule changes implemented in recent seasons will continue to impact the playoffs, including the pitch clock and limits on extreme infield shifts.

When it comes to betting favorites, the Dodgers are currently leading the pack, followed by the Yankees and Phillies, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

How to Watch and Postseason Schedule

The wild-card rounds will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, while the later rounds will be split between FS1, TruTV, TBS, and Fox.

Here’s the postseason schedule:

• Wild-card series: Oct. 1-3
• Division series: Oct. 5-12
• League Championship series: Oct. 13-22
• World Series: Oct. 25-Nov. 2

For more MLB updates, visit AP MLB.

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