This week in baseball will be filled with important series, especially for playoff contenders. This weekend, the most intriguing matchup is the Yankees vs. Mets at Citi Field because it’s a battle of two top teams and could ensure that one team has home-field advantage in October. Other matchups to watch out for are the Brewers-Cardinals (Friday), Braves-Phillies (Saturday), and Dodgers against the Rockies on Sunday night.
In the National League, the Cardinals have been making their way into the National League Wild Card race and this week is a pivotal one for them. They open with a challenging four-game set against the Dodgers, who are also in contention before they finish off by playing another N.L. contender, Cincinnati Reds.
The Astros and White Sox are battling for postseason positioning. The matchup winner will have home-field advantage against their opponent in A.L. Division Series, which is likely to be each other since they’re also competing with teams like Tampa Bay, who do not play either team head-to-head before then. As for Seattle Mariners – if both Houston and Chicago maintain a close margin until September 14th (the next time all three clubs face one another), that’s when we’ll find out more about final standings as far as it concerns Wild Card spots go.
Above all, though, is the San Francisco Giants. The x-factor in the playoff race could be Kris Bryant. After being traded to San Francisco at the trade deadline, and since then, he has been on a tear. For example, he already suggested that if it were up to him, this would become his permanent home; after all of these years away from California’s Bay Area where Bryant grew up idolizing Giants’ legends like Will Clark (a player who inspired an eponymous book “The Art of Hitting .300”). You will likely see plenty more heroics for both team and fans before their current National League West divisional battle ends with one champion.
Regardless, keep an eye on the Las Vegas Natives, including Paul Sewald (Seattle Mariners), Joey Gallo (New York Yankees), and close N.L. MVP favorite Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) to make a splash as the postseason dawns closer.
