The MLB playoff race is heating up with the Detroit Tigers emerging as a surprising strong contender, while the Arizona Diamondbacks face a challenging path to secure a wildcard spot amidst a tight race. The Houston Astros, accustomed to deep postseason runs, will compete in the wild-card round for the first time since 2015. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles have seen a decline in performance due to injuries, impacting their postseason prospects despite an early strong performance. MLB insider Jeff Blair suggests that while a World Series featuring Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers and Aaron Judge's Yankees would generate high viewership, a Phillies vs. Yankees matchup could offer better quality baseball. Additionally, the first round of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs ended with surprises as former champions Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. were eliminated, along with young drivers Ty Gibbs and Harrison Burton, while Kyle Larson leads the standings moving into the next round.