With the second half in full swing, the focus for contenders turns to making a run toward the postseason. And this season, there are a LOT of contenders. And with so many teams still within shouting distance of a playoff spot, many series will carry extra urgency for at least a few more weeks.
We’ve got a number of those matchups this week, including some potential postseason matchups. Here are five series to watch for the week of July 20.
Dodgers at Phillies
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The teams have played one series this season, in late May, and the Dodgers won two of the three games in Los Angeles.
Storyline: This series will have a postseason feel. How could it not? The teams met last year in the NLDS and could very well meet there again. The Dodgers once again have baseball’s best record, while the Phillies have a hold on an NL Wild Card spot and are trying to unseat the Braves atop the NL East. The whole thing screams postseason preview.
Watch out for:Shohei Ohtani’s left knee. The two-way star was scratched from his scheduled start on the mound during this series to give his ailing knee more time to heal. But he should still be atop the Dodgers’ lineup as DH, which is no picnic for opponents. If Ohtani is able to move and run at his normal levels as a hitter, it should bode well for his return to the mound.
Pirates at Yankees
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the teams. The Yankees won two of three played in Pittsburgh last season.
Storyline: Both teams are still in the playoff hunt, though the Yankees are in a much better position at the moment as the top Wild Card team in the AL. The Pirates remain within shouting distance of an NL Wild Card spot, but would help their cause with a good showing in this series. After sweeping the first-place Brewers right before the All-Star break, the Pirates will have another chance to make a statement against a top team.
Watch out for:Ben Rice. In the absence of Aaron Judge, the lefty slugger continues to be the Yankees’ most prolific offensive star. Rice has been among the league leaders in homers and OPS all season, and he’s been on a heater in July. He entered Sunday with 1.341 OPS for the month.
Orioles at Red Sox
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: Baltimore and Boston have played six times this season and have each won three games. Interestingly, each took two out of three in the other’s ballpark.
Storyline: The Red Sox come in as baseball’s hottest team, having won 13 straight games and 18 of their past 20 to put themselves back into the AL Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Orioles, despite having a second straight disappointing season, also find themselves in the Wild Card mix. This series could help determine that race.
Watch out for: The resurgent Willson Contreras, who’s having the best season of his career. The 34-year-old All-Star first baseman is on pace to blow past his career high in homers (24) and also post career highs in RBIs and OPS. He’s been a key part of Boston’s turnaround in recent weeks.
Padres at Braves
4 games (Monday-Thursday)
Head-to-head: The Padres swept a three-game series from the Braves in San Diego in June and have won eight of their past nine against Atlanta dating to last season.
Storyline: Will Ronald Acuña Jr. return before the end of the series? Braves manager Walt Weiss said Friday that he wouldn’t rule it out, but that the team has Acuña’s schedule “mapped out” as he rehabs his second hamstring injury of the season. The 2023 NL MVP has been out since early June, and Atlanta has certainly missed his presence in the lineup. The Braves have posted a .692 OPS since June 1, which ranks 25th in the Majors.
Watch out for: Braves lefty Chris Sale, who’s scheduled to start the series finale and who continues to perform as one of the best southpaws in the game. His 2.06 ERA ranks second in the NL.
Head-to-head: Seattle and Texas have played six games this season, and the Rangers have won four times. This included a sweep of the Mariners in Arlington in April.
Storyline: The teams are in a battle for first place in the AL West, with each hoping to avoid a fight for a Wild Card spot in a very crowded AL field. With the division race so close, these head-to-head matchups could have a huge say in who takes the crown at the end.
Watch out for: Julio Rodríguez, the Mariners’ slugger who recently returned to the lineup after missing time on the concussion IL. The three-time All-Star had been on a tear before the injury. In the seven games before he landed on the IL, J-Rod was hitting .414 with an .883 OPS. If he’s able to find that stroke again, it would certainly help Seattle in its pursuit of first place.
