This week, each MLB team will reach the milestone of playing its 81st game of the season, marking the halfway point.
As we transition into the first full week of summer, fans can look forward to exciting matchups featuring two teams in strong contention for first place, alongside notable rivalries that have their roots in the 1800s.
Here are five series to keep an eye on this week:
Cubs at Cardinals
4 games (Monday-Thursday)
Head to head: The Cubs and Cardinals have been rivaling for over 130 years, but this series will mark their first encounter this season. Last year, St. Louis edged out Chicago in the season series, winning 7-6.
Storyline: The intensity of this historic rivalry is amplified as both teams are playing well. The Cardinals have rebounded from a rough stretch in June, winning six of their last eight games to close the gap to 4.5 games behind Chicago. They’ve averaged six runs per game during this span, buoyed by standout performances from Nolan Arenado, Alec Burleson, and former Cub Willson Contreras.
Braves at Mets
4 games (Monday-Thursday)
Head to head: The Braves recently swept the Mets in three games, outscoring them 17-5, and have won seven of their last eight matchups.
Watch out for: Key players Ronald Acuña Jr. and Juan Soto are in excellent form. Acuña has been phenomenal since returning from injury, boasting a .396 batting average with a .504 on-base percentage. Soto, while starting slow with the Mets, has heated up, hitting two home runs Saturday and achieving a 1.211 OPS in his last 22 games.
Yankees at Reds
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head to head: The visiting team has claimed victory in the last seven encounters, with the Reds sweeping the Yankees in New York last July.
Storyline: Despite leading the AL East, the Yankees are facing challenges after a six-game slump where they only managed six total runs. Aaron Judge is experiencing his first rough patch this season but remains a must-watch player. Meanwhile, the Reds have struggled recently, sitting fourth in the NL Central, although Elly De La Cruz continues to impress with 17 home runs and 21 stolen bases.
Phillies at Astros
3 games (Tuesday-Thursday)
Head to head: This matchup recalls the 2022 World Series, won by the Astros in six games. The Phillies have performed well in recent encounters, winning four of the last six, including two of three at home this year.
Storyline: Both clubs are riding winning streaks, with the Phillies outscoring opponents 64-35 in their last 11 games, propelled by strong pitching performances. The Astros also boast remarkable pitching stats, contributing to their recent success in the AL West.
Dodgers at Royals
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head to head: The teams have evenly split their last six matchups at Kauffman Stadium, and the Dodgers won their previous three-game series against the Royals at home.
Storyline: The prospect of seeing Shohei Ohtani and Bobby Witt Jr. face off is thrilling, and recently, rookie Jac Caglianone has added flair to the matchup, showcasing his ability both at the plate and on the field.
