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.

Cubs: Jameson Taillon pitched seven crisp innings in his second straight win, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 on Friday in the opener of their season-ending series. Taillon (12-8) allowed four hits, struck out two and walked two on a blustery, overcast afternoon at Wrigley Field. The right-hander went 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA in the last six starts of his second year with the Cubs. Tyson Miller got three outs before Porter Hodge finished the four-hitter for his eighth save. The game was completed in 1 hour, 48 minutes. Chicago (82-78) clinched a winning season and improved to 4-7 against Cincinnati this year. The Cubs began the season with playoff aspirations under new manager Craig Counsell, but they were derailed by injuries and an inconsistent lineup. Cincinnati (76-84) wasted another stellar performance by Nick Martinez (10-7), who pitched eight innings of one-run ball in his first loss since Aug. 16. The right-hander was 4-0 with a 0.73 ERA in his last four starts. The Reds failed to advance a runner to third. The Cubs got their only run in the fifth. Nico Hoerner hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s sacrifice bunt and scampered home on Miguel Amaya’s sacrifice fly.