These 6 series will impact postseason races
It's reached the point in the 2021 MLB season that every game -- let alone series -- involving a postseason contender can have a profound impact on that club's playoff hopes.
That said, certain series each week carry slightly more weight than others. Here's a look at the six series this week that figure to have the most influence on the postseason picture.
Rays at Blue Jays (Monday-Wednesday)
Why it matters
While the Rays have pulled away in the AL East, the Blue Jays have surged their way back into the thick of the AL Wild Card race. Tampa Bay has also separated itself from the White Sox and Astros in the battle for home-field advantage in the AL, but the Rays are still trying to catch the Giants and Dodgers for the best overall record in the Majors.
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Other teams that will be watching closely
Athletics, Mariners, Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, Giants
The first four, along with the Blue Jays, are locked in a tight battle for the two AL Wild Card spots. Toronto and Seattle have been surging of late, while Oakland and New York have faded a bit in the race. As for the Dodgers and Giants, they're hoping to hold off the Rays in the quest to secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
How to watch
Monday's series opener will air on MLB Network, while the entire series can be seen on MLB.TV.
Cardinals at Mets (Monday-Wednesday)
Why it matters
The Cardinals enter the week just one game back of the Padres and Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot. The Mets, meanwhile, are also still in the mix, but they need to win this series -- if not sweep it -- to realistically keep those hopes alive.
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Other teams that will be watching closely
Padres, Reds, Phillies
The NL Wild Card race has essentially turned into five teams battling for the final spot. The Padres and Reds began the week tied for that last spot, but the Cardinals (one game back), Phillies (2 1/2 back) and Mets (3 1/2 back) are all looking to stay in the mix.
How to watch
The entire series can be seen live on MLB.TV.
Padres at Giants (Monday-Thursday)
Why it matters
Despite their recent struggles, the Padres are still in control of their own path to the postseason. The Giants, meanwhile, have once again opened up a bit of a lead in the NL West, but they still have work to do to secure the division crown, as well as the best record in the Majors.
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Other teams that will be watching closely
Reds, Cardinals, Phillies, Mets, Dodgers
As mentioned above, the battle for the NL Wild Card spot continues to heat up -- and the Padres will have their hands full over the next couple weeks. Each of San Diego's 20 remaining games will come against teams with postseason aspirations, including 10 against San Francisco.
How to watch
The entire series can be seen live on MLB.TV, including Monday's series opener being featured as the Free Game of the Day. The series finale on Thursday will also air on MLB Network.
Red Sox at Mariners
Why it matters
The Mariners didn't help their postseason pursuit by dropping back-to-back games against the D-backs to close out the weekend, but they remain very much in the mix in the AL Wild Card race. As for the Red Sox, they began the week in postseason position -- but the race is about as tight as it gets.
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Other teams that will be watching closely
Blue Jays, Yankees, Athletics
This one is pretty obvious. The Blue Jays and Yankees are right there with the Red Sox in the race for the two AL Wild Card spots, while the A's and Mariners are also within striking distance. While the Red Sox and Mariners square off with one another and the Blue Jays host the Rays to start the week, the A's and Yankees will each have favorable matchups. The Athletics take on the Royals and Angels this week, while the Yanks have a one-game makeup against the Twins before facing the Orioles and Indians.
How to watch
The entire series can be seen live on MLB.TV, including Tuesday's game being featured as the Free Game of the Day. The final two games of the series on Tuesday and Wednesday will also be on MLB Network.
Phillies at Mets (Friday-Sunday)
Why it matters
Each of these teams is clinging to postseason hopes in both the NL East and NL Wild Card races. It's possible that one of these teams could deliver the decisive blow to its archrival's playoff aspirations in this series.
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Other teams that will be watching closely
Padres, Reds, Cardinals
All three of these teams entered the week ahead of both the Phillies and Mets, but that could change before this series begins on Friday. Either way, with Philadelphia and New York playing one another, that means one of those teams has to win every night -- something that could put pressure on the teams ahead of them.
How to watch
Saturday's game can be seen on FOX, while Sunday's series finale will air on ESPN. Friday's game will also be available on MLB.TV.
Padres at Cardinals (Friday-Sunday)
Why it matters
These teams are locked in a tight battle for the final NL Wild Card berth and this series is a perfect opportunity for one club to stake its claim in that race -- especially since the Reds figure to have their hands full with a weekend set against the Dodgers.
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Other teams that will be watching closely
Reds, Phillies, Mets
This series is about as monumental as one can be in the Wild Card race at this point in the season. The Reds will certainly have an eye on it, but as mentioned above, they will need to be completely focused on their own series against the Dodgers -- a club that is still hoping to catch the Giants in the NL West.
How to watch
The entire series can be seen live on MLB.TV.