While the Cincinnati Reds season is mercifully winding down. Major League Baseball is heading towards October packed with intriguing national storylines. Which is quite a development after a rough stretch for MLB’s national reputation.

One of the few highlights of the second half of this Reds season. Is Joey Votto joining Bally Sports Ohio’s announcers in the booth during games. One of the most recent appearances happened back on Tuesday. At one point during that game, Votto and company discussed Major League Baseball’s future scheduling model. That future model will mean the Reds will face all MLB teams. Instead of facing mostly National League teams and a handful of American League teams.

Votto brought up the marketing opportunities this new model could present. By giving fans more opportunities to see baseball’s big stars facing their favorite teams. MLB has struggled to adequately market its biggest stars in recent years. This along with the league’s slow pace of play haven’t helped MLB. To rev up the energy that baseball can produce in its best moments.

MLB’s efforts to lift up Shohei Ohtani aren’t helped by his team’s struggles. The Los Angeles Angels have been one of baseball’s most disappointing teams of the last decade. With little postseason success despite having a fleet of all-stars on their team over the years. From Ohtani to Mike Trout and previously Albert Pujols. Speaking of Pujols, his pursuit of 700 career home runs is one of the biggest stories in baseball. Not since Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera has baseball seen such a grand retirement tour.

Pujols’ swan song has produced a fascinating atmosphere. For St. Louis Cardinals games, particularly at their home Busch Stadium. That atmosphere was on full display during the Reds trip to St. Louis last week. Each time Pujols was at the plate, it was like watching a postseason game. Nearly everyone in the stadium was standing and eagerly anticipating every pitch.

On a side note, given how much he’s eaten the Reds lunch over the years. It’s ironic that Pujols had a mostly quiet series last week against the Reds. Aside from him hitting his 698th career home run. The Reds and other teams crave the kind of excitement swirling around St. Louis. Major League Baseball presumably wants that kind of excitement spread around. Hence the recent expansion of the MLB Postseason field from ten to 12 teams. Yet, few outside of St. Louis and Cincinnati likely saw any part of last weekend’s series live.

If or when Pujols hits his 700th homer. Depending on the day or channel, relatively few will likely see it live. The same could hold true for New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge. As he pursues the A.L.’s single season home run record this year. Judge needs two homers going into this weekend to surpass record-holder Roger Maris. Amid these big moments, MLB has itself to blame for their limited national reach. Through having a scrambled presence on national television.

Much like the Reds lineup this year. It can be confusing for some to keep track of MLB’s national broadcasting schedule. There are games on TBS, ESPN, Peacock, Apple, YouTube, FOX and local networks. The NFL is able to hold broad national appeal through having a presence on the four major broadcast networks. MLB doesn’t have that kind of presence on broadcast TV. Among the four broadcast networks, they only have a weekly presence with FOX. How is baseball going to capitalize on big moments with a splintered audience?

As a season disrupted by this winter/spring’s lockout winds towards October. Major League Baseball has two major storylines to capitalize on. Along with the typical intrigue of the postseason. Despite finding ways to stumble all over themselves in recent years. Dare I say it, things are looking good for baseball at the moment.

Meanwhile, the NBA is going through a rough two week stretch. Through controversies centering around Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. Putting NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a rough spot. While the NFL still maintains its national dominance. That league is facing the Dan Snyder and Deshaun Watson controversies.

Compared to their peers, MLB is getting through a mostly scandal free year. With intrigue on the field heading towards the postseason. Led by Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols chasing history. Hopefully MLB doesn’t blunder this opportunity to hold the public’s attention.