3 Big MLB Series This Weekend
There are 3 very big series’ this weekend, which will have important playoff implications for the teams involved. Sure, there are still a lot of games left, but the winners of these series’ will have an advantage on how the rest of the season plays out.
Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves
This series in Atlanta is a biggie. The Braves currently trail the Phillies by 4.5 games in the NL East and this weekend is the time to make their move and make up a few games. The Phillies’ problem this season has been their pitching, but right after the All Star break they signed Pedro Martinez and before the trade deadline they made a huge deal by trading for last year’s Cy Young winner Cliff Lee. Luckily the Braves will not have to face either of these studs, so it is the perfect time to make a move. The pitching match ups for the series is Joe Blanton vs. Jair Jurrjens (Friday), Cole Hamels vs. Kenshin Kawakami (Saturday) and J.A. Happ vs. Javier Vazquez (Sunday). These match ups favor the Braves, but the Braves offense, which has been their weakness this season, has to perform. The Braves have been one of the hottest teams in the 2nd half, but they have not picked up that much ground on the Phillies, as they have been hot as well in the 2nd half. The Braves need to take at least 2 of 3 from the Phillies in this series or the Wild Card may be their only chance to make the playoffs.
Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers
After the New York Yankees swept the Red Sox last week Boston fell behind in the AL East and now they are 6.5 games back of New York. It is hard to believe the Red Sox not making the playoffs, but they are slumping as of late, as they are 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Rangers are only .5 games back of the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card race and the winner of this series will be in 1st place in the race. The Red Sox dropped 3 straight to the Rangers back in July and that cannot happen again or their post-season hopes will be in jeopardy. The pitching match up in the first game could not be any more even with Jon Lester (9-7 3.67 ERA) vs. Kevin Millwood (9-7 3.38 ERA). The Rangers are 5-5 in their last 10 games and it looks as if their only real chance of making the post season is winning the Wild card, as they trail the L.A. Angels in the AL West by 4.5 games.
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers
OK, so this series is not as big as the other 2, but it is still vital to both teams. Both teams are around 7 games out in the Wild Card and in the NL Central. Each club needs to win this series and go on a big run in order to make the post-season. Neither team is over .500 in their last 10 games and each team’s pitching staff is struggling. The time is now for each team to make a last push for the post season, as the loser of this series will likely be watching the playoffs from home. Even the winner of this series is a long shot to make the playoffs, but it will be a start.
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