1. Chicago Cubs (44-37) at Milwaukee Brewers (49-29)
The I-94 Rivalry makes its first stop at American Family Field this season. It is the first time that the NL Central rivals will play at Milwaukee since the Brewers clinched the NLDS over the Cubs in game 5 last season. Although the Brewers swept the Cubs last time at Wrigley, and are coming in hot with a sweep over Cincinnati. The Cubs and star CF Pete Crow-Armstrong have found their footing recently and are also coming with a 7-3 record in the last 10 games. Cubs are trying to catch the Brewers in the NL Central while Milwaukee is trying to run away with it so this is my biggest series of the weekend.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (52-29) at San Diego Padres (42-37)
I was wondering how LA would do with an inter-league series right before this Padres matchup. There was adversity that the Dodgers had to face in the sweep of the Twins but their star power got them through it. Now the Dodgers face the Padres at Petco Park for one final time in the regular season. San Diego is coming in with a sweep against the Braves, and are in a very tight race for the NL Wild Card. The Dodgers are trying to keep a commanding 9 game lead in the division and also the fight between the Braves and Brewers for the best record in baseball where the Padres are just trying to stay in it. One of these rivals could spoil it for the other.
3. Texas Rangers (39-42) at Toronto Blue Jays (39-42)
If the 2023 World Champions and the 2025 Runner ups were in the National League, both teams would be in massive trouble. But even with their struggles, right now both are part of a four-way tie with the Houston Astros and Athletics for the final AL Wildcard spot. With the struggles that both have had, they could potentially find themselves holding a postseason spot when this weekend is done.
4. Houston Astros (40-43) at Detroit Tigers (34-47)
Two teams that have been really disappointing and involved in a lot of trade talks are all of a sudden beginning to get hot now. Houston currently holds the final AL WC spot where the Tigers only sit five below them. With still a lot of time left to go in the season, if both teams want to be potential buyers and not sellers in a wide open AL race the time that the trade deadline comes around. Winning this series would be step no. 1.
5. Seattle Mariners (41-41) at Cleveland Guardians (42-39)
Right now as it stands, the Mariners would be in the Postseason as the AL West champion and the Guardians would be the No. 5 seed. But two teams in wide open divisions that have had commanding leads are feeling the pressure now, Cleveland already succumbed to the Pope Leo backed White Sox as both are currently tied and the Mariners are seeing a certain team that has an orange star with an H on it as its logo over the *Objects In The Mirror are Closer Then They Appear* sign. That’s right, the Astros are only 1.5 back in the AL West.
(Note: These records are how they stand right now at 12:22 PM on June 26. For up to date standings check here)
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