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The American League is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada, with the National League being its counterpart. Established in 1901, it consists of 15 teams divided into three divisions: East, Central, and West. Each team plays a 162-game schedule during the regular season, with the top team from each division and a wild card team advancing to the postseason. The American League is unique in that it utilizes a designated hitter (DH) rule, which allows for a batter to be designated to hit in place of the pitcher, whereas the National League does not. This adds an extra layer of strategy and depth to the game, as managers must weigh the benefits of having a powerful bat in the lineup versus the potential impact on the pitching staff. In summary, the American League is a significant component of Major League Baseball, featuring 15 teams divided into three divisions and employing a designated hitter rule that sets it apart from the National League.