The primary full week of play after Main League Baseball’s All-Star Recreation provides loads of intrigue and probably even a preview of a postseason matchup.
Phillies face warmth examine in opposition to Dodgers, Yankees
Escape the popcorn at Residents Financial institution Park this week.
The Philadelphia Phillies, who start Monday trailing the Atlanta Braves by 3.0 video games within the Nationwide League East, will welcome each the Los Angeles Dodgers (Monday-Wednesday) and New York Yankees (Friday-Sunday) to the Metropolis of Brotherly Love this week.
Each collection won’t solely have loads of star energy, however are additionally important within the standings for a trio of groups who may very well be very energetic on the MLB commerce deadline. That may very well be very true for the Yankees, a crew not solely making an attempt to catch the Tampa Bay Rays within the American League East but in addition maintain off the fast-charging Boston Red Sox.
After this homestand, Philadelphia hits the street to Miami and Baltimore, so the trail would not get a lot simpler. How the Phillies do on this homestand may nicely decide the extent of urgency Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski feels because the Aug. 3 MLB commerce deadline approaches.
Orioles-Crimson Sox offers fascinating AL East battle at Fenway Park
Kyle Bradish just signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension, exhibiting simply how a lot religion the Orioles have within the beginning pitcher. Now the right-hander will get a check in opposition to the red-hot Crimson Sox in Boston.
If schedules maintain, Bradish will go up in opposition to Boston’s Ranger Suarez in a marquee matchup. Nevertheless, Bradish might want to train a few of his Fenway Park demons as he has struggled traditionally in Boston. Sure, it is a small pattern dimension however Bradish has a 13.50 ERA in 10.0 innings on the mound in Boston.
No crew will enter the Monday-Wednesday matchup on extra of a roll than the Crimson Sox, a crew that enters Monday with a 13-game successful streak to get proper again within the AL postseason chase. Throughout that run, they’ve additionally leapfrogged the Orioles within the standings.
Nevertheless, whereas Boston has gotten the vast majority of headlines, the Orioles have been taking part in strong baseball as nicely. Baltimore has gained seven consecutive video games, protecting the AL East as arguably probably the most fascinating division in all of baseball.
Mariners have an opportunity to make a press release
It has been laborious to get a learn on precisely what sort of crew the Mariners actually are this season, however this week may present some perception into how Seattle could method the commerce deadline and the remainder of the yr.
After going through the Cincinnati Reds within the Emerald Metropolis for a three-game set, Seattle will journey to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers for 4 video games after an off day on Thursday. Texas has crushed the Mariners in 4 of six video games this season, one of many explanation why the Rangers personal a half-game lead within the AL West standings.
After going through the Rangers, the Mariners head straight to Los Angeles to tackle the Dodgers, so constructing some momentum within the Lone Star State may very well be key for Seattle with the MLB commerce deadline looming.
