Great news, everyone: it’s still April, meaning there’s plenty of baseball action ahead!
This week’s highlights will feature several top pitchers, one of baseball’s standout rookies, and a few surprise players excelling offensively early this season.
Here are five matchups to keep an eye on for the week of April 13.
Mets at Dodgers
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: Despite how last season concluded for both teams, the Mets edged out the Dodgers in their previous encounters, winning four games to three. This matchup also serves as a rematch from the postseason, even if the 2024 NLCS seems far off.
Storyline: Will this NLCS rematch provide a sneak peek into the postseason? The Dodgers (11-4) are performing well, while the Mets (7-9) are struggling without Juan Soto, who is on the injured list with a calf issue. After dropping five straight games, New York is in desperate need of a turnaround following a rough series against the A’s.
Watch out for: Leading the league with a .429 batting average isn’t MVP Shohei Ohtani or batting champ Freddie Freeman, but rather Andy Pages, a key player for the Dodgers early on. Pages has hit four doubles, four home runs, and leads MLB with 17 RBIs.
Cubs at Phillies
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The Phillies bested the Cubs in their 2025 series, winning two out of three games.
Storyline: Both teams came into the season with high hopes but have faced numerous challenges. The Cubs have lost Cade Horton to elbow surgery among other injuries, while the Phillies are having difficulty stabilizing their lineup and rotation. Following weekend series losses to the D-backs and Pirates, both teams are eager for some momentum.
Watch out for: Cristopher Sánchez, the scheduled starter for the Phillies, remains a bright spot, boasting a 1.65 ERA (3 ER in 16 1/3 IP) despite coming off a loss against the Giants where he allowed 11 hits.
Marlins at Braves
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The Braves took the 2025 season series against the Marlins, winning eight games to five.
Storyline: Both teams entered the season with their own questions, but have managed to quell doubts thus far. Before a recent sweep by the Tigers, the Marlins had their best start since 2020 at 8-5. The Braves, currently at 10-6, boast a league-best run differential of +46.
Watch out for: Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Drake Baldwin, is showing he can be a cornerstone for the Braves. With a batting average of .303 and five home runs (T-4th in MLB) along with 17 RBIs (T-1st), he has made an impact early this season.
Rangers at Mariners
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: The Rangers swept the Mariners in their recent home series, breaking the trend, as Seattle won their 2025 season series 10 games to three.
Storyline: After the Rangers’ sweep last week, they ended the Mariners’ five-game losing streak. However, the Mariners have since bounced back, sweeping their weekend series against the Astros, leading to questions about the weight of this turnaround against a struggling team.
Watch out for: Brandon Nimmo has emerged as an unexpected star for the Rangers, hitting .367 with three doubles, a triple, and three home runs, contributing significantly early in the season.
Tigers at Red Sox
4 games (Friday-Monday)
Head-to-head: The Tigers won last year’s season series four games to two. For nostalgic fans, this matchup may evoke memories of the 2013 ALCS, although Justin Verlander’s absence due to hip inflammation is notable.
Storyline: While Tarik Skubal (2.22 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) and Garrett Crochet (3.12 ERA, 22 K’s in 17 1/3 IP) might not pitch in the same games, their performance should be captivating, especially considering the injuries plaguing top starting pitchers.
Watch out for: Kevin McGonigle, Detroit’s top prospect now starting at shortstop, shined in a recent series against the Marlins, showcasing impressive fielding skills and hitting his first career home run against Sandy Alcantara.
