5 sequence to observe as September will get into gear

It’s the primary full week of September, and which means loads of thrilling baseball is on faucet this week. With lower than a month till the top of the common season, playoff races are taking clearer form as contending groups start their postseason push.

This week’s motion features a pair of sequence between American League division rivals — one within the Central and one within the carefully contested West. Two different AL groups preventing to win their divisions will face off in a four-game set this weekend. On the National League facet, one of many NL’s high groups travels to face a Wild Card contender, whereas two different Wild Card hopefuls face one another in what needs to be an important sequence.

Here are 5 sequence you received’t wish to miss this week.

Astros at Rangers
3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)

Head-to-head: These AL West rivals will face off for the ultimate time in 2023. In 10 video games throughout their first three sequence of the season, the Astros are 6-4 towards the Rangers, profitable three video games of a four-game set from June 30-July 3 and taking two of three from July 24-26.

Storyline: In a method, it’s new guard versus outdated guard on this sequence. The Rangers haven’t completed a season over .500 or made the playoffs since 2016, however they’re virtually sure to perform each this season. The Astros, in the meantime, have made 4 World Series since then, profitable all of it in 2017 and 2022. The two golf equipment are in a digital tie for second place within the AL West, which presently includes a traditionally shut three-team race between the Rangers, Astros and Mariners. And if both Lone Star State workforce hopes to realize floor in September, there’s no higher method to do it than in a head-to-head sequence.

Watch out for: Veteran Astros outfielder Michael Brantley made his long-awaited 2023 debut on Tuesday in Boston after recovering from an August 2022 shoulder surgical procedure. On Wednesday, his second recreation after a 14-month absence, Brantley went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. He homered on Saturday in his first 2023 begin at Minute Maid Park. Brantley is a key piece of the Astros’ lineup, and his return will add to Houston’s depth for this sequence and down the stretch.

Giants at Cubs
3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)

Head-to-head: This pair of NL groups met again in June for a three-game sequence at Oracle Park, with the Cubs taking the primary two video games on the street.

Storyline: What higher sequence to focus on than a September set between two of the National League’s high Wild Card contenders? The Cubs maintain the second Wild Card spot, with the Giants in a three-way tie with the Marlins and D-backs for the third and last place (and the Reds in a digital tie as properly). These two golf equipment match up properly, with NL Cy Young Award contenders Logan Webb and Justin Steele set to face off on the mound on Monday. The Giants took two of three from the Reds earlier than dropping three of 4 video games in San Diego, whereas the Cubs have been scorching for months — their .646 win share for the reason that All-Star break ranks fourth in MLB.

Watch out for: Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has hit in 17 of 19 video games since Aug. 15. Happ has hit .385 and slugged .769 since Aug. 28, pacing a Cubs offense that ranks fifth in batting common (.266) and seventh in OPS (.795) for the reason that All-Star break. Happ and the resurgent Cody Bellinger type a formidable duo in the midst of Chicago’s stable lineup.

Twins at Guardians
3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)

Head-to-head: These two groups simply met in Minneapolis, with the Guardians taking the second and third video games to declare the sequence win. Cleveland owns a 6-4 document towards Minnesota in 2023.

Storyline: This sequence is the ultimate head-to-head alternative for the Guardians to make up severe floor within the AL Central race. At 66-71, Cleveland is 5 video games again of Minnesota — inside hanging distance with a month left within the season. While the Guardians’ sub-.500 document means an AL Wild Card berth is very unlikely, their 6-4 mark towards the workforce they’re chasing is a cause for optimism. The Twins may play themselves into the AL’s No. 2 seed (and thus a first-round bye) with a scorching September, however it might take practically flawless baseball this month — they usually can’t afford to journey up on this sequence towards a division rival.

Watch out for: Twins starter Sonny Gray is coming off back-to-back seven-inning begins, together with a shutout outing on Wednesday towards the identical Guardians he’ll face on Tuesday. Gray allowed only one run in his different look — towards the Rangers on Aug. 25 — and his ERA is now right down to 2.92 — third-best amongst certified MLB starters.

Dodgers at Marlins
3 video games (Tuesday-Thursday)

Head-to-head: Just a pair weeks in the past at Dodger Stadium, these two groups performed their solely different sequence of 2023. The Marlins dominated Game 1 earlier than the Dodgers swept a doubleheader on Aug. 19 to take two of three.

Storyline: The Dodgers have mainly already salted away the NL West, however they’re nonetheless within the combine for the NL’s No. 1 seed. L.A. is already prone to earn a top-two seed and thus a bye into the NL Division Series, though shedding three of 4 video games over the weekend to the top-seeded Braves didn’t assist. There’s in all probability extra at stake for the Marlins, who have been in a three-way tie for the third NL Wild Card spot after a four-game sweep of the Nationals. Their 17-28 document for the reason that All-Star break is tied for fourth-worst in MLB, however the Marlins nonetheless have shot on the postseason — and taking down the Dodgers at house would go a great distance.

Watch out for: Marlins third baseman Jake Burger clubbed a pair of house runs Saturday towards the Nationals to succeed in 30 homers on the season. After being dealt from the White Sox on the Trade Deadline, Burger has excelled for his new workforce, hitting .313/.366/.509 with the Marlins. The former first-round Draft decide has been a key piece of a Miami lineup that additionally added Josh Bell on the Deadline.

Mariners at Rays
4 video games (Thursday-Sunday)

Head-to-head: The Mariners and Rays met for 3 video games from June 30-July 2 in Seattle, with the house workforce taking the ultimate two video games after a Rays rout within the opener.

Storyline: This four-game sequence is vital for each groups. For one, the head-to-head tiebreaker remains to be very a lot up for grabs; that would decide who will get a better seed, who will get home-field benefit and even who will get a playoff spot and who might be not noted. Both groups, after all, harbor hopes of profitable their respective divisions. The Mariners have a one-game lead on the Astros and Rangers within the AL West; the Rays are simply 2 1/2 video games behind the Orioles within the AL East. Even if neither workforce wins its division, this four-game set has vital Wild Card implications.

Watch out for: Who else however Julio Rodríguez? The American League Player of the Month had a scorching August, hitting .429/.474/.724 and breaking a document for hits in a four-game span. Rodríguez has helped energy the Mariners to a 32-15 document for the reason that All-Star break — the second-best mark in MLB — and he hasn’t proven any indicators of cooling down simply but.