This week promises exciting baseball action with three intense rivalry matchups, one potential new rivalry, and a touch of international excitement.
Here’s a preview of five series to keep an eye on for the week of April 20.
Dodgers at Giants
3 games (Tuesday-Thursday)
Head to head: This marks the initial clash of 2026 for these longtime adversaries. The Dodgers dominated last season’s matchup, winning 9-4, mirroring their success in 2024. Historically, the rivalry is remarkably even, each team has 1,288 wins and losses, with 17 ties. Expect one team to claim temporary bragging rights after this series.
Storyline: The Dodgers, defending World Series champions (15-6), have kicked off the season strongly with an MLB-best .857 OPS. In contrast, the Giants (9-13) are struggling, featuring an OPS of .658, which ranks in the league’s lower third. To reclaim their competitive edge, San Francisco must step up against the Dodgers and enhance their offensive output.
Watch out for: Shohei Ohtani, who has an impressive consecutive on-base streak of 51 games and an outstanding 0.50 ERA. Even if the Giants manage to contain Ohtani, they’ll still face challenges from Andy Pages, who currently boasts the highest OPS among regulars at 1.061.
Yankees at Red Sox
3 games (Tuesday-Thursday)
Head to head: The famed Yankees-Red Sox rivalry leans heavily towards New York (1,249-1,037), but it has consistently produced notable drama. This series marks the season’s first encounter between the teams, following the Red Sox winning the season series 9-4 last year.
Storyline: Both franchises have faced struggles early this season, each enduring a five-game losing streak. However, the Yankees have started to bounce back, while the Red Sox are still seeking consistency. With postseason ambitions on both sides, taking care of business against each other is crucial.
Watch out for: Aaron Judge remains a consistent threat, while newcomer Ben Rice has been a sensation with eight homers and a team-leading 1.276 OPS. Always expect the unexpected drama whenever these two rivals face off.
Phillies at Braves
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head to head: Though not as historic a rivalry, there has been contention between these teams over the past decade. The Phillies hold two consecutive NL East titles, halting the Braves’ six-year run. In their recent history, the Phillies lead the matchup 14-12 since 2024, despite losing three games to the Braves this past weekend.
Storyline: Two questions loom: 1) Can the Braves maintain their hot streak? and 2) Will the Phillies find their rhythm? Both teams are eyeing first place, currently held by Atlanta with a noticeable lead.
Watch out for: Keep an eye on Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley, who are showing flashes of brilliance. Acuña has been hitting hard without much reward, while Riley has produced tangible output, hitting two homers against the Phillies. Also watch Drake Baldwin, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, tied for the MLB lead with 28 hits.
Pirates at Brewers
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head to head: This matchup is the first of 2026. Last season, the Brewers dominated, winning 10 out of 13 games, and they hold a significant historical edge with a 258-196 lead. Yet, there’s a sense that the Pirates are entering a new era.
Storyline: The big question is whether the Pirates are for real, following an active offseason that saw key acquisitions like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn, invigorating their offense. The Pirates (13-9) have displayed readiness to claim the NL Central title from the Brewers (12-9), making this series a crucial test.
Watch out for: Watch Oneil Cruz, who appears to be performing at his best this season, leading the NL in stolen bases and boasting a strong .915 OPS well above his career average.
Padres at D-backs (Mexico City Series)
2 games (Saturday-Sunday)
Head to head: This series marks the first match-up of the season between San Diego and Arizona. Although the Padres claimed last season’s series with an 8-5 record, the D-backs lead the historical series 247-233.
Storyline: Featuring the Mexico City Series at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium, this two-game series is part of the MLB World Tour, with historical interests since their first attempt in 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic.
Watch out for: Expect plenty of runs! With Mexico City’s elevation at 7,350 feet—over 2,000 feet higher than Denver—home runs are likely. Previous games here averaged nearly 17 runs, including a wild 16-11 game between the Giants and Padres in 2023 that saw 11 homers.
