There’s rather a lot left to play for in 2025, however with not more than 20 video games left on any staff’s schedule, everybody’s operating out of time to place themselves for a last-minute surge, and each loss comes packaged with an additional sense of dread — when all is claimed and carried out, is that the one which’s going to hang-out you?
Just one technique to discover out. Listed below are 5 matchups with Wild Card implications — three between big-time rivals — that you may catch this week.
Mets at Phillies: 4 video games (Monday-Thursday)
Head-to-head: The Mets could also be chasing, however they’ve had the Phillies’ quantity all yr — they’re 7-2 coming into their remaining head-to-head sequence, however the Phillies did win the primary matchup at Residents Financial institution Park, two video games to 1.
Storyline: The NL East appears fairly fastened at this level, however stranger issues have occurred, even staying inside the historical past of this rivalry. Is that this the yr the Mets lastly really avenge that 2007 staff? For higher or worse, they’ve set themselves as much as do it — as of Sunday night, they’re seven video games again with 19 video games left on the schedule; these Phillies had been seven again with simply 17 to play.
Be careful for: Juan Soto is totally high-quality. And that is placing it evenly. He is been completely rolling for the reason that starting of final month and he is nonetheless seemingly gathering momentum — in 16 video games since Aug. 22, Soto is hitting .386/.545/.807 (1.352 OPS) with seven house runs, 21 RBIs and, simply because he can, 9 stolen bases.
Brewers at Rangers: 3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The Brewers and Rangers have met twice for the reason that introduction of full yearly interleague; Milwaukee swept each sequence.
Storyline: You may take a look at this sequence as a check for the Rangers, who’re proper on the sting however nonetheless hanging onto their probability at a visit to the postseason. The Brewers aren’t the unstoppable pressure they had been a month in the past, however they’re positively nonetheless getting these “staff of future”-esque wins, and the Rangers, nonetheless navigating the latest losses of Nathan Eovaldi, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, can have their work lower out for them.
Be careful for: An ideal younger pitcher — however possibly not the one you are considering of. Jack Leiter, scheduled to start out Tuesday’s sport, has been a very completely different man for the reason that All-Star break. If the Rangers are nonetheless assured they will make a run with out Eovaldi, he is a giant purpose why.
Leiter, 1st vs. 2nd half numbers:ERA: 4.37 -> 2.66WHIP: 1.36 -> 1.18K/9: 7.7 -> 10.8AVG: .233 -> .186HR/9: 1.1 -> 0.8
Astros at Blue Jays: 3 video games (Tuesday-Thursday)
Head-to-head: The Astros swept their first head-to-head sequence, means again in April (21-23) — that was, the truth is, their first sweep of 2025. Protected to say the groups who met over 100 video games in the past bear little resemblance to those who’ll be seeing one another in Toronto this week.
Storyline: A must-win sequence for all concerned. Each squandered alternatives to construct up their leads this weekend — the Blue Jays misplaced two of three to the Yankees and the Astros suffered the identical destiny at Globe Life Discipline — which ought to function a reminder that midseason success has nothing on a late rally. All 4 golf equipment within the chase — the Mariners, Rangers, Purple Sox and Yankees — can make the most of the Astros and Blue Jays being occupied with one another this week, and with New York (2 GB within the AL East) and Seattle (2.5 GB within the AL West) each inside three video games of first place, nothing wanting a sweep could be assured to maintain both membership atop its division. At this level, that may nonetheless be extra of a symbolic blow, however any hit is value avoiding.
Be careful for: George Springer has been in Toronto lengthy sufficient that the “outdated pal” angle might be overplayed. Not an issue — he is additionally been unbelievable within the second half. Interrupted midway by a stint on the concussion IL, Springer has 11 house runs in 31 video games for the reason that break, and amongst guys with at the least 100 plate appearances has one of the best batting common (.377) and the second-highest OPS (1.161).
Yankees at Purple Sox: 3 video games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: The Yankees lastly broke their eight-game dropping streak in opposition to the Purple Sox within the finale of their final head-to-head sequence in August, however the greater image continues to be fairly dire — Boston has already locked up the season sequence, coming into with an 8-2 report in opposition to New York in 2025.
Storyline: The precise implications of this sequence will rely upon what occurs within the days main as much as it — along with Astros-Blue Jays, the Yankees shall be internet hosting the Tigers whereas the Purple Sox go to the A’s. Separated by a sport and a half to start out the week, there is a stable probability they will not make enormous positive aspects on one another earlier than Friday, which might make this sequence a chief alternative for one to take the opposite out. All issues being equal, a three-team race is twice as troublesome to win as a two-team race, and Toronto continues to be hanging onto the benefit.
Be careful for: By their stable begin, abysmal summer time and up to date upturn, one factor has turn into very clear: the place Max Fried goes, so go the Yankees. Fried has regarded much more like himself these days, and that began with him throwing six scoreless innings in opposition to the Purple Sox on Aug. 22. Together with that outing, he now has a 1.67 ERA in his final 4 video games, and he is on flip to start out Saturday. Whatever the final result, one final Fried begin in opposition to the Purple Sox may inform us rather a lot about the place each of those groups are going.
Dodgers at Giants: 3 video games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: With about three weeks left on the schedule, the Dodgers and Giants aren’t even midway by their season sequence; the Dodgers gained every of their first two matchups, two video games to 1.
Storyline: The Giants aren’t going to win the NL West, however a method or one other, they’re going to in all probability find yourself deciding who does. The Dodgers are one sport up on the Padres heading into Monday, and for the primary time in a very long time, they’re really susceptible. The Giants, in the meantime, are on a mini heater that began in Milwaukee, which definitely makes them sound like potential spoilers. If they’re, they’ve figured that out simply in time — they’re going to be enjoying the ultimate seven video games of their season sequence in opposition to the Dodgers over a 10-game span from Sept. 12-21. (Whether or not they’re extra inquisitive about serving to the Padres win the NL West is, in fact, one other query.)
Be careful for: The Giants acquired Rafael Devers in the course of a sequence in Los Angeles. The Dodgers took discover, however any affect that deal was anticipated to have was fairly neatly neutralized by the Giants’ poor play. However now Devers is red-hot, posting a 1.311 OPS with six house runs and 16 RBIs over his final 11 video games, and the Giants are enjoying properly sufficient to again him up.
