MLB: The Major League Baseball playoffs are approaching and a Shohei Ohtani vs. Aaron Judge matchup in the World Series looms as an enticing October possibility. While the rooting interests of baseball fans vary widely, there’s little doubt MLB and television executives are drooling over the potential matchup between two of the top sluggers of this generation. Ohtani recently became the first player to have 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in one season while Judge is up to 58 homers. On top of that, Ohtani (Dodgers) and Judge (Yankees) play in the nation’s top two media markets for two of the sport’s most storied franchises. Of course, there will be 10 other teams trying to block those teams from the Fall Classic. Last season, the Rangers beat the Diamondbacks 4 games to 1 for their first title in franchise history. Hurricane Helene has affected the National League playoff race, with the final two games of this week’s Braves-Mets series postponed until a potential doubleheader on Monday. The Mets (87-70), Diamondbacks (88-71) and Braves (86-71) are fighting for the final two NL wild cards. The Mets travel to face the Brewers, the Braves host the Royals and the Diamondbacks host the Padres over the final weekend of the regular season as the teams jockey for position. The Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers and Padres have already clinched four of the six NL playoff spots. The American League race appears to have less potential drama. The Tigers (85-74) and Royals (85-74) can clinch the final two wild cards with one more win apiece this weekend while the Twins (82-77) are still alive, but must sweep their series against the Orioles and hope either the Tigers or Royals get swept. The Yankees, Guardians, Astros and Orioles have clinched four of the six AL playoff spots. The best-of-three wild-card format is in its third season. The format was changed in 2022 from the sudden death one-game format that was in place since 2012 with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic-affected 2020 season. Six teams each from the American League and National League will qualify for the postseason, including the three division winners in each league. The three wild-card teams in each league will be the teams with the best record that didn’t win their division. The top two division winners with the best records in each league will get a bye and don’t have to play in the wild-card round.

Mets: Francisco Lindor is back in the Mets’ lineup. And the team is confident he’s feeling good enough to stay there the rest of the regular season. Lindor batted first and played shortstop Friday night against the NL Central champion Brewers, his first appearance since Sept. 15. The star switch-hitter had played only one inning over the past 10 games due to lower back pain, though he was on deck and ready to pinch hit when the Mets made the final out of their 5-1 loss to the Braves on Tuesday.