The calendar says August, however most of the matchups on the diamond this upcoming week ought to have a decidedly October really feel.
We noticed the Astros and Tigers face off in final yr’s postseason, and we’ll get a rematch this week in Detroit. May we see the Mariners and Phillies within the 2025 Fall Traditional? It is inside purpose, and people two will get collectively in Philly for a three-game set starting Monday. We may also witness the subsequent chapters in a few of the recreation’s finest rivalries.
Listed here are 5 collection to look at this week.
Brewers at Cubs: 5 video games (Monday-Thursday)
Head-to-head: They’ve cut up their eight conferences evenly this season, though the Brewers have gained three of the previous 4. Milwaukee claimed a three-game set in opposition to the Cubs in late July, though Chicago ended that collection with a 10-3 victory on July 30. That stands as one of many Brewers’ 5 losses of their previous 34 video games.
Storyline: Because of a doubleheader on Monday, this might be a super-sized collection at Wrigley Subject. That Cubs win over Milwaukee final month represented the Brewers’ most up-to-date loss till Sunday’s defeat in opposition to the Reds. In between, the Brewers spun off an unbelievable 14-game successful streak and ballooned their division lead over Chicago from one recreation to eight. This would be the final regular-season collection between these golf equipment, so Milwaukee may successfully put the NL Central on ice with a giant week within the Windy Metropolis.
Astros at Tigers: 3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The Astros gained two of three video games in opposition to the Tigers in April at Daikin Park, a really small measure of revenge after Detroit dispatched Houston in final yr’s AL Wild Card Collection. This might be Houston’s first go to to Comerica Park since Might 2024. It has gained seven of its previous 9 video games in Detroit.
Storyline: Every of those first-place golf equipment scuffled to a below-.500 report in July. However whereas the Tigers have seemingly righted their ship with six wins of their previous eight video games, the Astros are 7-8 in August and maintain a slim lead over the Mariners within the AL West. Houston has averaged simply 3.8 runs per recreation this month, together with 10 runs over the earlier 5 video games. And now it’s going to have a date with maybe one of the best pitcher in baseball. Talking of which…
Be careful for: Hunter Brown vs. Tarik Skubal. Sure, we’re scheduled to get this must-see matchup on Tuesday evening. Brown, a Detroit native, stumbled a bit earlier than the All-Star break, however he has rebounded over his previous 5 begins, posting a 2.57 ERA. His 2.45 ERA for the yr ranks third within the AL whereas Skubal is on the prime of the league at 2.42. The Tigers’ splendid southpaw, who shut down the Astros in Sport 1 of that playoff collection final season, is rolling towards a second straight Cy Younger. He leads the Majors in WHIP (0.87), Okay-BB charge (28.7%) and fWAR (5.5), to call a number of classes.
Mariners at Phillies: 3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: These groups have not confronted off in Philly since April 2023, when the Phillies took two of three video games. The Mariners — who lead the all-time collection, 14-11 — gained a three-game residence set versus Philadelphia final August.
Storyline: In every week stuffed with intriguing matchups, this is perhaps one of the best one. The Mariners and Phillies rank second and tied for fourth, respectively, in successful proportion this month. The previous is nipping on the Astros’ heels within the AL West whereas the latter has grabbed a five-game lead within the NL East. Each squads possess some elite energy of their lineups and top-end starters of their rotations. May we see them meet once more in about two months?
Be careful for: A potential two-man House Run Derby. Kyle Schwarber is on tempo for 56 homers, which might fall simply two dingers shy of Ryan Howard’s membership report. However what’s cooler than being on tempo for 56 residence runs? Being on tempo for 61 residence runs — as a catcher. Cal Raleigh, this yr’s T-Cell House Run Derby champion and proprietor of 47 residence runs, is simply two lengthy balls away from breaking the single-season report for residence runs by a major catcher. He obtained one step nearer to the mark through the Little League Traditional on Sunday evening. Watching these two prolific sluggers swing it at Residents Financial institution Park needs to be a deal with.
Pink Sox at Yankees: 4 video games (Thursday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: The Pink Sox enter this collection driving a five-game win streak in opposition to their arch-rival. That features a three-game sweep of the Yanks at Fenway Park in mid-June. Boston pitchers allowed a complete of 4 runs throughout that collection.
Storyline: It is the Pink Sox versus the Yankees — want we are saying extra? OK, we’ll. That aforementioned sweep actually kicked off a protracted swoon for the Yankees, who went from 4 1/2 video games up within the AL East to five 1/2 video games again. However they head into this week as winners in 5 of their previous six video games, capped by a sweep in St. Louis. Boston has one of the best successful proportion within the AL because it final confronted New York (.618). Whereas each golf equipment are nonetheless eyeing Toronto on the head of the desk, they’re additionally jockeying for place within the Wild Card race. The Pink Sox, who’ve dropped six of their previous 10 video games, are only a half-game in entrance of the Yanks for the second AL Wild Card.
Be careful for: Roman Anthony. The Pink Sox wanted to see Anthony for simply 46 video games within the huge leagues earlier than giving him a profitable eight-year contract extension. They’ve additionally made the 21-year-old their on a regular basis leadoff hitter over the previous few weeks. MLB Pipeline’s former No. 1 general prospect owns a .398 on-base proportion and an .832 OPS to this point and has been even higher over his earlier 18 video games (.458 OBP, .973 OPS). Already a fan favourite, Anthony may attain superstardom in Boston if he exhibits out in his first Main League video games within the Bronx.
Dodgers at Padres: 3 video games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: You once more? We simply noticed these foes sq. off at Chavez Ravine this previous weekend, and the Dodgers got here away with a three-game sweep to drag two video games forward within the NL West. L.A. is 8-2 in opposition to San Diego this yr and has secured the head-to-head tiebreaker, which may show necessary by the top of the common season. Los Angeles has gained three of its earlier 4 video games at Petco Park, together with Sport 4 of final season’s NLDS.
Storyline: The Padres’ reign atop the division lasted all of in the future earlier than the Dodgers regained command this previous weekend. Can San Diego strike again at residence in what would be the ultimate three video games through the common season between these rivals, or will the Dodgers strengthen their place as they try for his or her twelfth NL West title in 13 years?
Be careful for: Mookie Betts. He has been mired within the least productive season of his profession, however Betts could make many individuals neglect about that with a robust end. And do not look now, however the eight-time All-Star is beginning to appear like, properly, an eight-time All-Star. Betts delivered the game-winning blow in Sunday’s collection finale at Dodger Stadium and has recorded a .341/.400/.523 slash line with 12 runs and 9 RBIs in his earlier 11 video games.
