Drama, rivalries and Ohtani: how MLB’s playoffs got their mojo back

As Major League Baseball's final four take aim at the World Series starting on Sunday, playoff TV ratings are soaring thanks to big stars, memorable plays and unbridled fun

We're just about halfway toward determining who will become baseball's World Series champions, which means there are just four teams remaining. The best-of-seven American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees begins on Monday in the Bronx, while the New York Mets will be in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers on Sunday in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

How did we get here? Simply put, with some of the more captivating early-round playoff baseball we've seen in some time. And the drama has been much welcome after last year's early rounds included no fewer than six series sweeps, with series winners trouncing losers by 20 games to two, leaving all but the most hardcore baseball fans pining for preseason NBA games.