Early baseball in the season can surprisingly offer insights into the postseason landscape. For instance, four of the six teams leading their divisions on April 7, 2024, secured spots in the playoffs, along with four teams finishing in second place.
The month of April, like any segment of the baseball season, witnesses postseason-caliber pitching duels. As starting rotations roll back into form this week, several pitching matchups will arise that could easily fit into playoff scenarios.
Below are five series to monitor this week, highlighting some pitching matchups that evoke a postseason atmosphere.
Orioles at Diamondbacks
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head to Head: This marks the only series between these teams this season. Last year, the Orioles secured two of three games in Baltimore, even though the Diamondbacks outscored them 15-12.
Storyline: After taking two out of three games at Yankee Stadium last week, the Diamondbacks have another opportunity to showcase their potential against an AL World Series contender. With the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants making solid starts in the NL West, alongside the Yankees dominating AL discussions, these two teams might be hidden gems in the playoff race.
Yankees at Tigers
3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head to Head: These teams face each other for the first time in 2025. During the previous season, the Yankees won four of the initial games, but the Tigers took the last two. Only 30 runs were scored over those six matchups, and this series marks the Yankees’ first encounter with an AL opponent in 2025.
Storyline: Last season’s series reflects the Tigers’ late-season surge that propelled them to the playoffs after a 53-59 start. The Tigers aim to build on their momentum from 2024, while the Yankees seek to reclaim their dominance over another playoff hopeful.
Phillies at Braves
3 games (Tuesday-Thursday)
Head to Head: This is the initial series of 2025 between these NL East rivals, set to clash a total of 13 times this season. Atlanta edged out last year’s series 7-6, although Philadelphia took three of the final four encounters. Historically, the Braves lead the all-time series 1,325-1,204.
Storyline: The rivalry between these two playoff stalwarts may be shifting. The Phillies appear to be on track, while the Braves are working to recover from a rough 1-8 start. A recent activation from the injured list for catcher Sean Murphy should boost Atlanta, while star pitcher Spencer Strider is also making a return soon.
Rangers at Mariners
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head to Head: These AL West rivals will meet for the first time this season. Last year, the Mariners triumphed in 10 of the 13 games played, with five contests decided by a single run.
Storyline: The Mariners are on the lookout to reestablish their offensive prowess. Despite playing in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, they managed to score 758 runs in 2023; however, that number dropped to 676 last season. In 2025, they are averaging just over three runs per game with a team batting average around .200.
Cubs at Dodgers
3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head to Head: Last month’s Japan Series marked the first meeting between the Cubs and Dodgers on Opening Day in over 60 years, with the Dodgers winning both games in Tokyo and starting their season at 8-0.
Storyline: The Cubs bounced back from Japan, winning seven of their subsequent nine games to claim first place in the NL Central. Maintaining that momentum against the Dodgers, a much tougher opponent, will be a significant challenge. The Cubs have shown offensive strength, tallying 77 runs compared to the Dodgers’ 57, with additional hits and walks in one extra game played.
