FT Leadoff

The Minnesota Twins entered the season’s penultimate weekend on the brink of an epic collapse.

However, a 12-inning win in Boston and a Tigers loss in Baltimore on Friday helped them regain control of the final American League Wild Card spot. The win, plus a Royals loss, moves Minnesota to just a game out of the second spot.

With just over a week left, the American League Wild Card race is an unpredictable battle between a trio of AL Central rivals with the Mariners suddenly two games back.

Shohei Ohtani had himself a DAY on Thursday.

In addition to founding the 50/50 club, his 6-for-6, 3 HR, 10 RBI performance helped the Dodgers clinch a playoff berth in their 20-4 win over the Marlins. Ohtani will be playing postseason baseball for the first time in his career.

Could Shohei pitch in October? Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman shut down that possibility, citing it’s “not really an option.”

Even if Ohtani can’t pitch in October, he still has time to build on an already historic season. On Friday, he made it 52/52 with a homer and stolen base.

Check out our host’s reactions to Ohtani’s historical day: Todd Frazier, Cameron Maybin, Scott Braun, Erik Kratz, Alanna Rizzo, and Clint Pasillas.

Watch - Toddfather, Kratzy and Scott weigh in on Shohei’s EPIC season.

• View - Phillies clinch playoff berth, stall Mets Wild Card momentum.

• View - Braves drop opener, lose chance to gain ground in Wild Card race.

• View - Royals drop fifth straight, still one game up in second Wild Card spot.

• View - Mariners take opener, remain 2.0 GB of a Wild Card spot.

• View - Yankees top A’s, AL East lead at four games.

Watch - The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli discusses the dysfunction of the Chicago White Sox organization, how the 2005 World Series impacted the team, and how the organization can turn things around.

Watch - Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle dives into New York’s bullpen, why he doesn’t close games, and how Clay Holmes has adjusted to his role change.

Watch - Guardians pitcher Matthew Boyd reacts to Shohei Ohtani’s historic day and his journey back after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

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