As Major League Baseball's regular season winds down and we get closer to the post season, teams are fighting to win their division, teams are fighting for the wild card spot, astonishing trades are occurring despite the trade deadline in July, and teams/players are setting records. Whether you're at the edge of your seat waiting to see if your favorite team will make the playoffs, you're anticipating the first playoff game because there's no way your team won't continue on, or you've given up on your team completely, get excited baseball fans, because the post season is on its way. With a little more than 20 games left in the regular season, here's a breakdown of five insane things that have happened in Major League Baseball this season.

1. Mike Trout went on the disabled list for the first time

Since debuting in 2011, Trout has never been on the disabled list. In 2011, he played in 40 games. In 2012, he played in 139 games. In 2013 and 2014, he played in 157 games each. In 2015 and 2016, he played in 159 games each. In 2017, he has played in 91 thus far. Based on the statistics from Fox Sports, Trout has only missed a handful of games since his debut, so fans of the baseball star and professionals in the business were shocked when he was on the disabled list for 46 days from a torn ligament in his left thumb. Coming off the disabled list sooner than expected, Trout played the game like he always has. Diving head-first into second base (the action that injured him) after getting a single in his second at-bat, he showed baseball fans that his time on the disabled list didn't change the two-time MVP winner. "I'm not changing the way I play," he said. "I'm going to be aggressive, and I'm still going to steal bases and slide headfirst" (MLB.com).

2. Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger are having record-breaking rookie seasons

If Aaron Judge winning the Home Run Derby and Cody Bellinger setting the Dodgers' home run rookie record wasn't enough, they have the most home runs of any pair of players in a rookie season. After becoming only the eighth pair of players to hit 30 home runs in their rookie season, they are the first pair of rookies to hit 35+ home runs (Twitter), with Judge having 38 (MLB.com) thus far and Bellinger having 36 (MLB.com). With the post season right around the corner, both Judge and Bellinger are vying for Rookie of the Year and a spot in the playoffs.

3. The Detroit Tigers traded their fan-favorite pitcher, Justin Verlander

With the nearing trade deadline in July, there was talk that the six-time American League All-Star player and American League Cy Young Award winner would be traded so the Tigers could save money on his remaining contract. With rumors that teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs were interested in the fan-favorite, fans were relieved when the trade deadline closed on July 31, getting reassured earlier in the day when Verlander posted a selfie from the Tigers' locker room with the caption, "**BREAKING** Source: I'm still in the Tigers locker room" (Instagram). Despite the passing of the trade deadline in July, baseball fans were shocked when Verlander waived the no-trade clause and was traded to the Houston Astros minutes leading up to the final trade deadline on August 31 (players couldn't be traded after this deadline because of eligibility rules in regards to the post-season). After posting a farewell video on September 1, thanking Tigers fans for their continued support since his debut in 2005, Verlander traded in his Tigers uniform in place of the Astros' navy and orange uniform and made his debut with the Astros on September 5. He pitched six innings and took the win for his with a 3-1 win against the Seattle Mariners.

4. J.D. Martinez hit four home runs in one game

While having a superb season already, Martinez showed the Detroit Tigers what they were missing out on when he hit four home runs in the September fifth grade against the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 13-0 win and aiding to their 11 game winning streak. Becoming only the 18th player in Major League Baseball history to accomplish the feat (MLB.com) and the first in Diamondbacks franchise history, Martinez hit a a two-run homer in the fourth inning, as well as home runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. With no chance in getting a wild card spot, the Tigers could use a player like Martinez, but it's clear that he's succeeding and playing well in his new uniform. Since being traded to the Diamondbacks on July 18, Martinez has hit 18 home runs, with 34 for the season. He seems to be enjoying his new team, going as far as saying that he hopes to stay with the Diamondbacks long term. "I've thought about it a lot," Martinez said. "It's definitely something I'd love, I'd be interested in. I've loved my time here. The guys are great. The team is young. They're definitely going to be good for a while. I don't want to be on a team just because [it offers the most money]. I want to be on a team that's got a chance" (ESPN).

5. Boston Red Sox found guilty of cheating

Despite their September 5, 19-inning game and 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, nothing could overshadow the fact that the Boston Red Sox were found guilty of using Apple watches to steal signs from the New York Yankees specifically, as well as other Major League Baseball teams. While it's been a long-known fact that baseball teams try and steal signs from one another to gain an advantage, using Apple watches is a reflection of the technologically-savvy 21st century and its technological advances. According to the New York Times, the Yankees have suspected that the Red Sox were cheating for a while, but "The baseball inquiry began about two weeks ago, after the Yankees’ general manager, Brian Cashman, filed a detailed complaint with the commissioner’s office that included video the Yankees shot of the Red Sox dugout during a three-game series between the two teams in Boston last month." While the Red Sox contested that the videos on the Apple watch were used to replay instant replays and broadcasts, they admitted what they were accused of when they were confronted by the commissioner's office. With the Red Sox leading in their division and most likely going to the playoffs, it is uncertain whether or not there will be consequences.

With the post-season approaching, multiple teams are still in the running for the wild card spot, while teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers (who have won a groundbreaking 92 games this season thus far) and the Cleveland Indians (who have won 13 games in a row thus far) are basically guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. With a little more than 20 games left in the regular season, I'm not looking forward to the end of baseball season (What television show will be able to fill the void I'll feel without baseball?), but I'm rooting for my favorite team to get a wild card spot, and I'm already anticipating the start of spring training and another season of baseball.