Big Bear Nolan's Blog

1. Philadelphia Phillies (37-31) at Milwaukee Brewers (41-25)

Over the last month or so, both the Phillies and Brewers have found their footing. Milwaukee posted the best record of all of MLB in May while the Phillies have begun to look like the Phillies of old since the firing of manager Rob Thompson. Most people forget that both of these teams went into the Postseason last year with the best two records in MLB. This weekends series is also huge for both of them, Milwaukee holds a 4 game lead in the NL Central over the St. Louis Cardinals while the Phillies are 1.5 above the Wild Card and are only 1.5 behind the Cardinals for the fourth seed in the Wild Card race.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (43-25) at Chicago White Sox (36-31)

As I am typing this, this game is currently between two first place teams. Who would’ve thought that when talking about the Dodgers and White Sox. Dodgers have more game at Pittsburgh, same with Chicago against Atlanta tonight (June 11). But The White Sox took the first two against the Braves who hold the best record in all of baseball and get the defending back to back champs in the Dodgers. A .500 homestand for the Whiteys will be a massive success but if they can beat the Braves and Dodgers in back to back series, that would be incredibly impressive and show that they are 100% a true contender.

3. San Diego Padres (35-32) at Baltimore Orioles (32-37)

Massive Wild Card implications are on the line for this one. As it sits right now, San Diego holds just a 0.5 game lead for the final spot in the NL Wild Card where the Orioles sit just 2 below in the AL Wild Card race. Two teams that were playoff hopefuls to start 2026 need to get going before it gets late fast.

4. Detroit Tigers (29-40) at Cleveland Guardians (37-33)

The slumping Cleveland Guardians who are currently 3-8 in their last 11 games just lost the lead in the AL Central for the first time since April. To make matters worse, the Guardians now welcome in the red hot Tigers who since the beginning of June has lost only two games. Detroit was also the favorites by a lot of people to win the AL Central and now get the Guardians who stole the division from them last year. While Detroit is 8 games behind in the Central, last years collapse by the Tigers proves to them that there is still plenty of time left. And the first step to reclaiming a playoff spot and more importantly the division is to beat one of your biggest competitors in the Guardians.

5. St. Louis Cardinals (37-29) at Minnesota Twins (31-39)

Before you say WHAT? Let me explain this to you. The Twins this year are 18-18 at home and over the past couple years this year included, they have had a knack for giving Postseason contenders in the NL a hard time at Target Field. Last season, the Twins beat both the Cubs and Padres at Target Field and that Padres series came after the deadline fire sale. The Cardinals come into this series right behind Milwaukee in the NL Central while currently sitting in the No. 4 seed for the Wild Card just 2.5 games above the cutoff. The Twins aren’t looking too hot right now but aren’t completely out of the AL Wild Card race just yet with only being 3.5 back. So this has the making of a trap series for the St. Louis Cardinals and one the Redbirds need to be very aware of.

(NOTE: These records are how they stand right now at 3:56 of Thursday, June 11. For up to date standings. Check here )