This weekend there are several series that could impact races for pennants. Some have a more outside impact, while others could directly enhance or derail a team’s chances of getting to the post season.
Yankees/Blue Jays – Not that the Jays have any shot at the post season, but some losses by the Yankees could put them back in a tie with the Rays or worse a couple of games down after this weekend. The Rays have the Orioles this weekend and as we all know games against Baltimore are not a gimme anymore. I think the Yankees/Jays series could prove to be the more telling of the two.
Braves/Marlins – This series could directly affect the Braves post season chances. They struggled with the Marlins at home just a few days ago and now they have to face them in Florida. A few losses here and the Phillies who are now only two games back could catch up with ease. The Phillies get the Brewers this weekend and their bats seem to be heating up as evidenced by the 12 runs they put up on the Rockies on Thursday night. The Braves series is a must win if they want to hold on to their division lead.
White Sox/Red Sox – The battle of the Sox could affect both teams playoff chances. The White Sox more so as the Red Sox have a lot of ground to make up and little time. The White Sox, however are in the thick of things in the AL Central. A series win over the Red Sox would put them in great position to make a run at the Twins for the division title. And the Twins have to face the red hot Rangers this weekend. Things could do an almost total flip flop if the Sox win and the Twins lose.
Rockies/Padres – The Rockies are still fighting to get into the post season. They are now only 6.5 back in the WC standings. The Padres have been on a losing streak a mile wide of late and the Rockies may have just hit them at the right time. The Giants get to face division rivals the Dodgers this weekend. I think these series could come out with the Rockies taking 2 and the Giants losing 2. It could certainly shift things around slightly in the NL West.
Reds/Cardinals – And the BIG series of the weekend is of course the Reds and Cardinals. The Reds are still on a smoking hot run in the NL Central. They are now 8 games ahead of the Cards and have won 4 in a row. The Cards on the other hand have lost 5 in a row to subpar teams. The Cards are 2-8 for their last 10 while the Reds are 7-3. If the Reds take the weekend series, the Cards will be all but finished in the NL Central. The series win would put the Cards out of contention in my book and the only way back in would be a Reds collapse and I don’t see that happening this season.
It’s a big weekend for baseball. Many things could change and time is running short. It’s definitely what’s important now.
© photo credit: Jeffrey Beall
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