PHOTO USA Today Sports Images Three weekends remain in the baseball regular season, and only four teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
The lowercase “e” denoting that dire reality will only grow as the days tick down, but for now, the long list of teams without that designation signals a handful of tight races. Things look especially interesting across the board in the American League and in the National League wild-card chase.
Teams still technically alive in the 2024 hunt are kicking the tires on various 2025 possibilities nonetheless. We’ll check in on one such club, the Texas Rangers, as well as a two NL series with playoff interest. Here we go.
NEW YORK METS VS. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Facing an eight-game division deficit with 16 games to play, the New York Mets aren’t likely to catch the Philadelphia Phillies atop the National League East.
The Mets will need to at least tread water during this weekend’s series in Philly, however, as they look to stay in the NL wild-card hunt. New York sits one game ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the league’s last playoff position.
Lefty Jose Quintana gets the call for the Mets in the series opener, and while he excelled with missing bats over his past two starts, collecting 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings, don’t expect that to continue this time. The Phillies, who rank 19th in the majors in strikeouts, have faced Quintana twice this season, fanning five times in nine combined innings while producing five runs and 10 hits.
Aaron Nola is set to start for the Phillies. The right-hander threw a four-hit shutout against the Mets in May and should be primed to regroup from his Saturday loss at Miami.
Phillies -1.5, +125 (BetMGM)
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CHICAGO CUBS VS. COLORADO ROCKIES
Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong shined in his return to his native Southern California this week, going 5-for-11 with four RBIs and excellent outfield defense to help Chicago take a three-game series from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He seemingly has fewer sentimental ties to Denver, where the Cubs play the opener of a weekend set with the Rockies, but that shouldn’t preclude Crow-Armstrong from having success in Colorado.
PCA hit .370 over the past 15 games as the Cubs keep their faint wild-card hopes intact. He hasn’t faced Rockies lefty Austin Gomber before, but he has fared slightly better against southpaws this season, batting .258 compared to .239 against righties.
Pete Crow-Armstrong over 1.5 total bases, +105 (BetMGM)
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TEXAS RANGERS VS. SEATTLE MARINERS
One night after Kumar Rocker made his long-anticipated major league debut for Texas, the Rangers will start another righty who recovered from Tommy John surgery.
Veteran Jacob deGrom is a two-time Cy Young winner, yes, but he also hasn’t started in more than 500 days. Seattle, meanwhile, is expected to recall young righty Emerson Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma to make the start.
That’s the same Hancock who went 3-4 with a 4.76 ERA in nine starts for the Mariners earlier this year.
There is potential to see flashes from deGrom and Hancock, but extended stints from both bullpens also could be in the cards. That should add up to a scoreboard with a few crooked numbers.
Over 7 runs, -105 (BetMGM)
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