### The Best Time of the Year: MLB Postseason Begins
As the curtain falls on the Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season, the excitement heats up with the onset of October’s playoffs. A total of twelve teams, six from each league, are gearing up to win the title that the Texas Rangers secured in 2023 after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series.
The wildcard series kick-started the postseason, with four teams resting and awaiting their opponents for the divisional series. In the American League, the Detroit Tigers faced the Houston Astros, while the Kansas City Royals went head-to-head with the Baltimore Orioles. The National League saw the New York Mets take on the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves visiting the San Diego Padres.
Starting October 5th, the victors of these wildcard matches will move to the divisional series, which operates on a best-of-five format. The American League’s top-seeded New York Yankees awaits the winner of the Orioles vs. Royals game, while the Cleveland Guardians will host the winner between the Astros and Tigers. In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have claimed pole position, will challenge either the Padres or Braves. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies will compete against whoever triumphs between the Mets and Brewers.
The National League Championship Series is set to commence on October 13th, with the American League following on October 14th. If extended to seven games, the series would wrap up on October 21st for the National and on October 22nd for the American. The World Series is slated to begin on October 25th at the stadium of the league champion with the best record, stretching until potentially November 2nd. Days of rest are scheduled for October 27th and 31st.
This postseason, the Dodgers are strong contenders, fortified by Shohei Ohtani’s historic achievement of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases—an MLB first. This, along with talents like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, has been pivotal in their dominance, securing them an impressive 98-win season and a top seed in the National League. The Dodgers await the wildcard winners, with the added advantage of starting each series on home ground.
In the American League, the Yankees had a stellar season with a 94-68 record, greatly aided by Aaron Judge, who led with 58 home runs. Their path forward in the playoffs hinges on the wildcard results between the Orioles and Royals. The Yankees pitching strategy remains partially uncharted, though Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are slated to start in the divisional series.
The Phillies, buoyed by key players like Bryce Harper, boast a well-rounded team, albeit Harper’s lingering wrist and elbow issues. Nonetheless, securing the East division title for the first time since 2011 marks a significant achievement.
In parallel, the Guardians, under rookie manager Stephen Vogt, have emerged as Central division leaders with a dynamic lineup spearheaded by José RamÃrez, marking their playoff return since 2022.
### Rising Jerseys Popularity in MLB
With Shohei Ohtani’s impressive feats, he has also secured the most popular jersey title in MLB. Following closely are Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge, who hold the second and third spots. This list reveals a fascinating mix of celebrated veterans and emerging stars, with Francisco Lindor reaching new highs in popularity.
The diverse roster of top 20 jersey sales reflects MLB’s international appeal, representing six different countries and territories including Canada, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Venezuela.
**Top 20 MLB Jerseys of 2024:**
1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Bryce Harper
3. Aaron Judge
4. Mookie Betts
5. Francisco Lindor
6. Ronald Acuña Jr.
7. Juan Soto
8. José Altuve
9. Fernando TatÃs Jr.
10. Nolan Arenado
11. Corey Seager
12. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
13. Trea Turner
14. Elly de la Cruz
15. Pete Alonso
16. Manny Machado
17. José RamÃrez
18. Freddie Freeman
19. Clayton Kershaw
20. Adley Rutschman
As the MLB postseason unfolds, fans and analysts alike keenly anticipate whether the Dodgers’ formidable lineup or the Yankees’ powerful offense will lead their teams to clinch the championship. With standout individual performances and team dynamics in play, the race for the World Series is wide open and promises a thrilling competition.