These 4 series will impact postseason races

With only seven weeks left in the Major League season, every series featuring a postseason contender is obviously important -- but some carry a bit more weight than others.

Here's a look at four series this week that could have significant implications on various postseason races.

RED SOX at YANKEES (Tuesday-Wednesday)

Why it matters
Well, this one always matters -- but these three games over two days at Yankee Stadium carry a little extra weight. Both teams have faded a bit in the American League East (Boston entered Monday three back of Tampa Bay), but they are locked in a tight battle in the AL Wild Card race. The Red Sox entered Monday tied with the Athletics for the two AL Wild Card spots, but the Yankees were just 2 1/2 games back of the duo heading into the day. A sweep by either Boston or New York could drastically change the Wild Card outlook -- and put the winning club right back on the Rays' heels in the AL East.

Other teams that will be watching closely

Athletics, Blue Jays, Mariners, Rays
Each of the above clubs will all have some interest in this one. As mentioned, Oakland is in a tight race with Boston for the two AL Wild Card spots and the A's were just 2 1/2 games clear of the Yankees entering Monday's slate. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, started the day 4 1/2 games back of the Red Sox and the A's for a Wild Card spot, and the Mariners were 5 1/2 back.

Players to watch
Aaron Judge is on a tear, having hit three homers over the last three games. He's hitting .316 with a 1.001 OPS in August, including posting a .417/.483/.875 slash line over his six games entering Monday. It's also worth keeping an eye on Aroldis Chapman and Gary Sánchez. The Yankees' bullpen has struggled to close out games recently, but Chapman (left elbow inflammation) could return for this showdown, while Sánchez (positive COVID-19 test) is also expected to be back in the lineup.

For the Red Sox, J.D. Martinez has been particularly locked in over the past week, hitting .458 (11-for-24) with six extra-base hits and 11 RBIs over his last six games.

How to watch
Tuesday's doubleheader can be seen on MLB Network, while Game 1 will also be featured as the MLB.TV Free Game of the Day. Wednesday's 7:05 p.m. ET finale will be broadcast on ESPN.

GIANTS at ATHLETICS (Friday-Sunday)

Why it matters
It's a big week across the board for both of these clubs. The Giants began the week with a four-game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West, but San Francisco will be tested by a pair of postseason contenders. They welcome the Mets to town to start the week before heading across the bay to face the A's. Oakland, meanwhile, has a four-game series against the AL Central-leading White Sox before returning home to host the NL West-leading Giants.

The Athletics are hoping to add that label in front of their own name, as they entered Monday just 2 1/2 games back of the first-place Astros in the AL West. The A's were tied with the Red Sox for the two AL Wild Card spots, entering Monday just 2 1/2 games clear of the Yankees, who are the first team on the outside looking in.

Other teams that will be watching closely

Dodgers, Astros, Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Mariners
Being an Interleague showdown, clubs from both circuits will have an eye on this one. The Dodgers are still very much in the hunt for another division title in the NL West, while any AL club with postseason aspirations outside of the White Sox (and likely the Rays) have an interest in what the A's are doing.

Players to watch
A's first baseman Matt Olson has quietly put together a season that, in any other year, would have him squarely in the AL MVP conversation. He entered the week with a .952 OPS and 30 home runs -- third-most in the AL behind only two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (39) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (35).

How to watch
This Interleague set can be seen on MLB.TV, including Sunday's game being featured as the Free Game of the Day.

METS at DODGERS (Thursday-Sunday)

Why it matters
For the same reason their three-game series mattered this past weekend. Despite their recent slide, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, the Mets remained just 2 1/2 games back in the NL East race entering Monday's games -- but things won't get easier anytime soon. New York continues its stretch of playing 13 straight against the NL West's best, starting with a three-game series in San Francisco before ending with a four-game rematch against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, began the week just four games back of the first-place Giants -- but with a prime opportunity to make up ground. They host the last-place Pirates for a three-game set to begin the week prior to welcoming the Mets to town.

Other teams that will be watching closely

Giants, Phillies, Braves
No surprises here. The Giants are looking to hold off the Dodgers in the NL West, while the Phillies, Braves and Mets are in a three-team battle for the NL East crown.

Players to watch
Dodgers newcomer Max Scherzer will face the Mets for the second time in as many starts, with his typical turn in the rotation set for Friday night. Fellow Trade Deadline acquisition Trea Turner and infielder Max Muncy -- a pair of NL MVP candidates -- will look to continue doing their part for the Dodgers' offense in Mookie Betts' absence (right hip).

How to watch
The first two games of this series will on MLB Network on Thursday and Friday, while Saturday's game will be broadcast on FS1. All four games can be seen live on MLB.TV.

PHILLIES at PADRES (Friday-Sunday)

Why it matters
Both of these clubs began the week in tight postseason races. The Phillies have surged their way back into the NL East race, thanks in part to an eight-game winning streak earlier this month. The Padres, however, are trending in the other direction. They started the week with just a 2 1/2-game lead over the Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot -- and San Diego has faded to 10 games back of the Giants in the NL West race entering the week.

Other teams that will be watching closely

Braves, Cardinals, Mets, Reds
The Braves and Mets have an obvious interest in the Phillies given their battle atop the NL East, but with the Padres' recent struggles, all of those teams -- along with the Reds and Cardinals -- are back within striking distance of the final NL Wild Card spot.

Players to watch
Fernando Tatis Jr. made his much-anticipated return to the Padres' lineup on Sunday afternoon -- and he did so in right field. It's always worth watching pretty much everything Tatis does, but that's especially true right now given his move to the outfield -- and to see how his shoulder holds up down the stretch. He entered this week as the NL MVP favorite, but he'll be going head to head in this series with one of the award's other top contenders in Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper.

How to watch
The entire series can be seen live on MLB.TV, including Friday's game being featured as the MLB.TV Free Game of the Day.