MLB Series Look-In-July 25

Hard to believe that the summer is flying by fast with it being the last weekend in July and also the last weekend before the only trade deadline in baseball this year. With still 23 of the 30 teams in contention for the playoffs currently, this is a crucial weekend of the baseball season. Of course both teams of the iconic rivalry of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are in the playoff picture. With the recent success the Yankees have had, combined with the struggles the Red Sox and the Rays have had the Yankees have a comfortable lead in the American League East. Yankees pitching trio of Domingo German, JA Happ, and Masahiro Tanka have a combined record of 27-12, combined with the fact that a healthy Aaron Judge has 11 home runs and 28 runs batted in after enduring an injury earlier in the season. Meanwhile the Red Sox who are currently 2 games back of the last playoff spot in the American League are looking to string together a winning stretch of baseball in efforts to make the push for the playoffs. The Red Sox continue to utilize their well rounded offense as they have 8 players with at least 10 home runs, which include Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers who each reached 20 home runs this season in addition of surpassing 70 runs batted in. The x-factor for the Red Sox success is on the mound as key pitchers have not had the greatest season, but are looking to turn it around in the second half of the season. Of course with Chris Sale winning his first game at Fenway Park earlier this month, the left hander who is 5-9 on the season with an ERA of 4.00 will be looking to do the same as the latest chapter of this historic rivalry takes place in Boston. This weekend will be a pivotal one for the 3 teams contending for the playoffs in the National League East. With the Phillies 5 ½ games back of the Atlanta Braves in the division and also in contention in the National League Wildcard standings , they look to close down the gap against their divisional foes who lead the division currently, the Atlanta Braves. Canadian Mike Soroka has a 10-2 record on the mound for the Braves, while Canadian first baseman Freddie Freeman is among 3 Braves players with at least 20 home runs on the season. While a potential deciding point of the season for the Phillies in contending in the division, Bryce Harper will need to step up as he has 17 home runs and 70 runs batted in. In order for the Phillies to contend in the second half they will need quality pitching as Zach Eflin struggles has resulted in him having a 7-10 record and an ERA of 4.25. As the Washington Nationals surge up the standings for the last couple months, they are also hoping for the Phillies to win this weekend as they too want to close the gap in the National League East even though they are in contention in the wildcard as well. Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto have combined hit 38 home runs and 132 runs batted in and Stephen Strasburg record on the mound for the Nationals is 13-4. Understand though the Nationals will be hosting the best team in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers as Cody Bellinger has 34 home runs and 77 runs batted in, while Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu has a record of 11-2, an ERA of 1.78 and 112 strikeouts on the season. Two of the main contenders for the National League Central division battle at Miller Park as the Chicago Cubs battle the Milwaukee Brewers. Cubs Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo both have surpassed 20 home runs and 60 runs batted in, while Brewers Christian Yelich has smashed 35 home runs and 77 runs batted in. Meanwhile the Brewers pitching duo of Brandon Woodruff and Zach Davies have a combined record of 19-6, while Cubs pitching duo of John Lester and Jose Quintana have a combined record of 17-13. With the fact the Arizona Diamondbacks are 14 ½ games back of the Dodgers in the National League West division, the Diamondbacks playoff hopes are solely via the wildcard. Arizona is 3 games back in the last wildcard spot but with heading east and facing the worst team in the National League, the Miami Marlins, the Diamondbacks do have a great opportunity to potential gain some ground in the wildcard race. Eduardo Escobar and Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks have combined hit 44 home runs and 141 runs batted in on the season. Meanwhile pitcher Zack Greinke has a 10-4 record, an ERA of 2.93, and 123 strikeouts. With the trade deadline on the horizon, expect the Marlins showcasing potential trading assets to scouts, including closer Sergio Romo who has 17 saves this season, just only a few bright spots on an awful season in Miami. The St. Louis Cardinals who are also in contention in the playoffs in the National League Central and National League wildcard, they are looking to stay in contention but are hosting the vastly talented Houston Astros. Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt has 21 home runs and 52 runs batted in, while pitcher Dakota Hudson has a 10-4 record, an ERA of 3.61, and striking out 81 batters. Meanwhile the Astros trio of Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Wade Miley have a combined record of 32-13. At the plate for Astros Alex Bergman and George Springer have combined hit 49 home runs and 121 runs batted in, making the Astros a tough test for the Cardinals to gain any ground in their pursuit for the playoffs. Here below is this weekend’s series, look forward to your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments section.

Photo courtesy of Sportsnet

Visitors	@	Home
Colorado	@	Cincinnati
Atlanta	@	Philadelphia
Los Angeles Dodgers	@	Washington
Tampa Bay	@	Toronto
Arizona	@	Miami
New York Yankees	@	Boston
Pittsburgh	@	New York Mets
Chicago Cubs	@	Milwaukee
Minnesota	@	Chicago White Sox
Cleveland	@	Kansas City
Houston	@	St. Louis
Baltimore	@	Los Angeles Angels
Texas	@	Oakland
Detroit	@	Seattle
San Francisco	@	San Diego