Now that we’re previous the All-Star break and into mid-July, MLB’s already tight playoff races are solely going to warmth up extra. The sport has no scarcity of shock playoff contenders, together with however not restricted to the Orioles, Rangers, D-backs and Reds, so the second half of the season will function a litmus check for a way reliable these upstart groups are.
All 4 of those groups shall be put to the check in high-profile matchups this week. Among different key showdowns, Cincinnati will face Arizona in a battle of thrilling younger NL groups, whereas Texas will host Tampa Bay in a battle for AL supremacy.
Those matchups, and extra, are included in our 5 collection to observe through the week of July 17:
Dodgers (53-39) at Orioles (57-35)
3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head to go: These groups final performed in September 2019, when the Dodgers received two out of three video games in Baltimore.
Watch out for: Mookie Betts. Here’s Betts’ OPS by month this season: .781 from March-April, .958 in May, 1.037 in June and 1.381 in July (to go along with 5 homers in 11 video games). It’s not too laborious to sense the sample right here, and if that sample continues, Betts could catch as much as Ronald Acuña Jr. in the MVP race.
Rays (60-36) at Rangers (55-39)
3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head to go: This would be the second collection between these two groups this season, after the Rays received two of three video games at house in June.
Storyline: Who’s one of the best of one of the best within the AL? This is a battle of MLB’s prime two groups in run differential, with the Rangers (+159) simply forward of the Rays (+152). It is also a showdown of MLB’s prime scoring offense (Texas, 5.86 runs per recreation) towards its prime protection (Tampa Bay, 3.83 runs allowed per recreation). By practically any metric, these squads have excelled, making this a possible playoff preview.
Padres (44-50) at Blue Jays (53-41)
3 video games (Tuesday-Thursday)
Head to go: These groups final performed in May 2019, when the Padres received two of three video games in Toronto.
Storyline: Are MLB.com’s preseason World Series favorites going to show it round within the second half? If so, the Padres don’t have a lot time to take action. Only three groups have ever made the playoffs after shedding at the least 50 of their first 94 video games, and none have finished so for the reason that 1984 Royals (although, to be truthful, MLB’s postseason has expanded considerably lately).
D-backs (52-42) at Reds (50-44)
3 video games (Friday-Sunday)
Head to go: These groups haven’t but confronted off this season. In 2022, the Reds went 4-3 towards Arizona, together with a cut up of a four-game collection in Cincinnati.
Storyline: Which of those shock groups is legit — if not each? Arizona hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017, whereas the Reds haven’t finished so in a 162-game season since 2013. But, largely because of some elite rookies (Corbin Carroll, Spencer Steer, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz), and a few aggressive baserunning (these are the NL’s prime two groups in stolen bases, with Cincinnati main MLB), each are having their finest season in years.
Watch out for: Ketel Marte. Lost in all of the dialogue in regards to the D-backs’ younger expertise is the truth that Marte is having an enormous bounce-back 12 months in his ninth MLB season. His 15 house runs are already the second-most he’s ever had in a season (he had 32 in 2019), and his .851 OPS trails solely Luis Arraez amongst certified second basemen.
Phillies (51-42) at Guardians (45-48)
3 video games (Friday-Sunday)
Head to go: These two groups final performed in September 2019, when Cleveland received two out of three video games at house.
Storyline: Are the Phillies again? You probably keep in mind how their 2022 season went: a 21-29 begin, adopted by Rob Thomson coming in and turning the ship round, resulting in an 87-75 season and an NL pennant. While there’s a protracted solution to go, 2023 appears eerily comparable (minus the brand new interim supervisor half), as Philadelphia is 26-10 since a 25-32 begin.
Watch out for: Bryson Stott. Though his roster is crammed with greater names like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto, Stott has performed a significant function in Philadelphia’s aforementioned turnaround. The second-year second baseman has a .328 batting common since June 1, main a Phillies offense that has averaged 5.21 runs per recreation over that span.
Content Source: www.mlb.com