A huge rivalry series, a star player’s homecoming and an ALCS rematch are just part of an exciting week of MLB action.
Here are five series to watch for the week of Aug. 24.
Rangers at White Sox
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The White Sox took two of three games when these two clubs met early in the second half at Globe Life Field in Arlington. Chicago won the July 20 opener 10-3 and took the July 22 series finale 4-2, with a 10-0 Rangers win in the middle.
Storyline: Both teams are seeking division titles for the first time in a few years. The Rangers haven’t actually won the American League West since 2016, although they ended up losing a tiebreaker to the Astros in 2023, earning a Wild Card berth and going on to win the World Series. Texas enters Monday’s series opener tied with Houston atop a low-achieving AL West. The White Sox, meanwhile, have a 3 1/2-game lead in the AL Central as they seek their first division crown since 2021.
Watch out for: White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas, who has been putting together an excellent season. Vargas enters Monday with 29 home runs and an .854 OPS, and he has a .274/.413/.589 slash line in 20 games in August. Acquired from the Dodgers in a three-team trade in 2024, Vargas is putting it all together and anchoring Chicago’s talented lineup.
Cubs at D-backs
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The Cubs defended Wrigley Field when the D-backs visited at the beginning of May, sweeping Arizona with scores of 6-5, 2-0 and 8-4. In Chicago’s last trip to Chase Field — at the start of 2025 — the two clubs split a four-game series.
Storyline: Will we see these two teams face off in the postseason? The Cubs currently hold the National League’s top Wild Card spot and harbor hopes of passing the Brewers in the NL Central, while the D-backs are two games behind the division-rival Padres for the third Wild Card berth. This series in Phoenix could be a precursor to a playoff matchup down the road.
Watch out for:Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is competing with the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani for the 2026 NL MVP Award. The Cubs center fielder has a 1.051 OPS in August with six home runs in his past seven games, including three leadoff dingers and a walk-off shot. The best defender in MLB by fielding run value (+24), Crow-Armstrong has put it all together in his fourth MLB season.
Dodgers at Tigers
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: These Interleague clubs will face off for the first time since the opening series of the 2025 season, when the Dodgers pulled off a three-game sweep in Los Angeles. Mookie Betts hit a three-run walk-off home run in the 10th inning of the middle game of the series.
Storyline:Tarik Skubal’s return to Detroit. After making his fourth start for the Dodgers on Saturday against the Pirates, Skubal is lined up to pitch next weekend at Comerica Park against his former club. Acquired ahead of the Trade Deadline for prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith, Skubal has a 3.38 ERA in 24 innings with the Dodgers. Don’t miss the 2024 and 2025 AL Cy Young Award winner’s return to Detroit.
Watch out for: Tigers infielder Colt Keith, who has been hot at the plate. Since the start of July, Keith is batting .312 with an .915 OPS while playing third base, first base and DH. The lefty hitter isn’t likely to start against Skubal or fellow Dodgers southpaw Blake Snell, but Keith is a dangerous pinch-hitter and is always a threat against right-handed pitching.
Red Sox at Yankees
4 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: It’s been an eventful year in MLB’s biggest rivalry. The Yankees swept the Red Sox in late April at Fenway Park and split a pair of games in early June in the Bronx, but Boston roared back with a four-game sweep at Fenway from June 24-27 for a 5-4 edge so far in the season series.
Storyline: Can the surging Red Sox catch their rivals in the AL East? Boston is six games behind the Rays and just three games behind the Yankees in the division. With two wins in this four-game series — which includes a split doubleheader on Saturday thanks to a June rainout — the Red Sox would clinch the series and with it what could be a crucial postseason tiebreaker. Right now, the two clubs would face off in the Wild Card Series for the second straight season.
Watch out for: Boston’s dynamic duo of Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras. Abreu’s 11 home runs since the All-Star break are tied for the third most in MLB, while Contreras’ career year has continued with a .934 OPS in the second half, the fourth best in the AL (min. 100 PA). Hitting in the heart of the Red Sox lineup, the pair was instrumental in Boston’s franchise record-tying 15-game winning streak and will be dangerous against Yankees pitching in this series.
Mariners at Blue Jays
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: Shutouts were on the menu during the previous series between these two teams from July 3-5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The Blue Jays won the opener by a 2-0 score before the Mariners countered with wins of 11-0 and 4-0 to take the series.
Storyline: Things haven’t gone as planned for either of these two teams since they met up for a thrilling seven-game ALCS last October. After falling to the Dodgers in the World Series, the Blue Jays are 64-68 on the season and 14 games back in the AL East, even after a recent hot streak. The Mariners, meanwhile, are 62-69 and third in the AL West. Both teams are well within striking distance in the AL Wild Card race, but this weekend’s set in Toronto feels a little less crucial given both clubs’ 2026 struggles.
Watch out for:Kade Anderson. MLB’s top pitching prospect turned in a solid big league debut on Saturday against the Cubs, striking out five over 5 2/3 innings. The Mariners lefty, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 Draft, is lined up to pitch during this series at Rogers Centre. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back from the concussion injured list, the Blue Jays lineup should be at relatively full strength against Anderson, making for a fun matchup.
