Major League Baseball opens the final full week of August with 10 games on Monday, August 24, and several of them carry significant postseason implications. The Tampa Bay Rays are trying to protect their lead in the American League East, the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers are fighting atop their respective divisions, and four National League teams playing Monday are directly involved in the Wild Card race.
The Philadelphia Phillies also enter the night as one of baseball’s hottest teams, while the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are trying to hold postseason positions with Arizona close behind.
All game times are Eastern.
Boston Red Sox at Miami Marlins — 6:40 p.m.
Boston enters Monday at 71-59, third in the AL East behind Tampa Bay and the New York Yankees. Despite being third in the division, the Red Sox currently occupy a Wild Card position and have won three straight games. They are 7-3 over their past 10.
Miami is 67-64 and third in the NL East. The Marlins are nine games behind first-place Atlanta and remain four games behind the National League’s final Wild Card position, making every late-August series increasingly important.
Boston will start left-hander Ranger Suárez, who is 5-3 with a 3.41 ERA and 113 strikeouts. Miami counters with Sandy Alcantara, who is 13-8 with a 3.46 ERA. Alcantara has been one of Miami’s most dependable starters and gives the Marlins a strong opportunity to slow Boston’s recently productive lineup.
The Red Sox have managed to stay in contention despite a substantial injured list. Roman Anthony, Garrett Crochet, Trevor Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are among the players on the 60-day injured list, while relievers Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten also remain unavailable. Curtis Mead and Masataka Yoshida are on the 10-day injured list.
Miami is without outfielder Kyle Stowers because of a hamstring injury. Pitcher Max Meyer, who is 9-1 with a 2.68 ERA, remains on the injured list with a neck issue, while reliever Anthony Bender is also unavailable.
Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers — 6:40 p.m.
Tampa Bay enters at 77-53 and remains first in the AL East, three games ahead of the Yankees. The Rays have struggled recently, going only 3-7 over their past 10, but still own the best record in the American League.
Detroit is 61-69 and fourth in the AL Central. The Tigers have lost five consecutive games and sit seven games behind the first-place White Sox.
Drew Rasmussen takes the mound for Tampa Bay with a 13-5 record, 3.01 ERA and 138 strikeouts. Rasmussen has earned the victory in each of his past six starts.
Detroit counters with left-hander Framber Valdez, who enters at 8-8 with a 4.35 ERA.
The Tigers will attempt to turn things around without several important players. Riley Greene is on the injured list with a hamstring injury, Kerry Carpenter is sidelined by a foot problem, and Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows are also unavailable. Jack Flaherty is on the 15-day injured list with a flexor injury.
Tampa Bay’s injured list includes Griffin Jax, Gavin Lux and Ryan Pepiot. Jax has begun a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, but he is not yet back in the Rays bullpen.
Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals — 6:45 p.m.
Colorado arrives in Washington at 50-80 and last in the NL West. The Rockies have lost six consecutive games and have one of the worst records in the National League.
Washington is 61-71 and fourth in the NL East. The Nationals have also struggled recently, losing four straight.
Ryan Feltner starts for Colorado. He is 5-7 with a 5.97 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings.
Washington has a substantial pitching advantage on paper with Cade Cavalli, who enters at 11-5 with a 3.22 ERA. Cavalli threw six scoreless innings in his most recent appearance.
Both clubs are dealing with significant injuries. Colorado remains without Hunter Goodman, who has 34 home runs this season but is sidelined by a shoulder injury. Kyle Freeland has also been dealing with neck stiffness.
Washington is missing one of its biggest offensive threats in James Wood, who is on the injured list with an oblique strain after hitting 30 home runs. CJ Abrams, who has 29 home runs and 91 RBIs, is day-to-day with an ankle injury.
Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox — 7:40 p.m.
This may be one of Monday’s most consequential American League games.
Texas enters at 65-66 and is tied with Houston for first place in the AL West. The unusual division race means a team with a losing record could still enter September in first place.
Chicago is 68-62 and leads the AL Central by 3½ games over Cleveland.
Kumar Rocker starts for Texas. The right-hander is 4-10 with a 4.46 ERA and 109 strikeouts.
Chicago will use José Urquidy, who is 2-1 with a 5.06 ERA. Urquidy has made seven relief appearances this season and is scheduled to make his first start of the year Monday.
Texas is without third baseman Josh Jung, who is on the injured list with a calf injury. Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is also out with an elbow injury, while Jack Leiter remains on the 60-day injured list with an ankle injury.
The White Sox are missing catchers Joey Bart and Kyle Teel, while starter Davis Martin is on the 15-day injured list with a finger injury.
With both clubs occupying first place or a share of first place, the three-game series could have a significant effect on the postseason picture.
Cleveland Guardians at Los Angeles Angels — 9:38 p.m.
Cleveland enters at 65-66, second in the AL Central and 3½ games behind Chicago. More importantly, the Guardians have won four consecutive games and are right on the line for the final American League Wild Card berth.
The Angels are 52-79 and fourth in the AL West.
Cleveland has one of Monday’s strongest starting pitchers in Parker Messick. The left-hander is 9-8 with a 2.54 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings. His ERA ranks among the best in the American League.
Los Angeles counters with 24-year-old George Klassen, who is 2-1 with a 3.74 ERA. Klassen was excellent in his last start, throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing only one hit against Houston.
Cleveland will be without Rhys Hoskins, who is on the injured list with lower-back inflammation. The Angels recently placed Nolan Schanuel on the injured list with an intercostal injury and Wade Meckler on the concussion list.
The game also features an interesting reunion. Jo Adell, traded from the Angels to Cleveland earlier this month, returns to Anaheim as a Guardian. Adell has driven in 17 runs in his first 17 games with Cleveland.
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks — 9:40 p.m.
The Cubs and Diamondbacks meet in arguably the most important National League game on Monday’s schedule.
Chicago is 75-56 and second in the NL Central, six games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs currently hold the top National League Wild Card position, but their cushion has shrunk following a 4-6 stretch.
Arizona is 69-62, third in the NL West and only two games behind San Diego for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start for Chicago. He is 6-11 with a 4.58 ERA and 143 strikeouts. Gausman left his previous start after experiencing cramping in his left thumb, making his condition something to monitor, although he remains listed as Monday’s probable starter.
Arizona counters with Merrill Kelly, who is 8-11 with a 5.37 ERA.
Both teams are dealing with important injuries. Chicago is without shortstop Dansby Swanson, who is on the injured list with a side injury, and Matt Shaw remains out with a hand sprain. Justin Steele and Ben Brown are also on the 60-day injured list, although both have progressed to facing hitters.
Arizona is without Ketel Marte because of knee inflammation. The Diamondbacks are also missing starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Corbin Burnes, while Michael Soroka was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with arm inflammation.
Pete Crow-Armstrong remains one of the players to watch for Chicago. He enters the series with 33 home runs and 32 stolen bases and remains in the National League MVP discussion.
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres — 9:40 p.m.
San Diego has transformed its season over the past month and enters Monday at 71-60, second in the NL West and currently holding the third National League Wild Card position.
The Padres have gone 21-7 since July 23 and completed a three-game sweep of Minnesota on Sunday.
Pittsburgh is 63-69 and fourth in the NL Central. The Pirates are 8½ games behind the final Wild Card position.
The starting pitching matchup is one of Monday’s best.
Pittsburgh sends Braxton Ashcraft to the mound with a 13-5 record, 3.74 ERA and 159 strikeouts. He allowed only one run over eight innings in his previous start.
San Diego counters with veteran left-hander Robbie Ray, who is 11-7 with a 3.20 ERA.
The Pirates are without Ryan O’Hearn because of a quadriceps injury and Konnor Griffin because of a finger injury. Endy Rodríguez and Mitch Keller are also on the injured list.
San Diego continues to operate without Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta, although Musgrove is progressing through a rehabilitation assignment. Reliever Jason Adam is on the 60-day injured list, and Casey Mize is day-to-day after suffering an ankle sprain.
Fernando Tatis Jr. enters the series on an impressive run. He went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs Sunday and has hit 12 home runs since the All-Star break.
Minnesota Twins at Athletics — 9:40 p.m.
Minnesota enters at 63-68 and third in the AL Central. The Twins are two games behind the final American League Wild Card position after being swept in three games by San Diego.
The Athletics are 51-80 and last in the AL West, but they enter Monday having won two straight after taking two of three from Houston.
Minnesota starts Zebby Matthews, who is 7-8 with a 5.12 ERA and 81 strikeouts.
The Athletics counter with Jeffrey Springs. The left-hander is 3-11 with a 6.02 ERA and recently returned from the injured list after dealing with hip discomfort.
Minnesota’s rotation is without Joe Ryan, who remains on the 15-day injured list with a glute strain. Pablo López and David Festa are also on the 60-day injured list.
Few teams have been hit harder by injuries than the Athletics. Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker are all on the 60-day injured list. Jacob Wilson and catcher Shea Langeliers are also sidelined.
Kurtz had 21 home runs and 69 RBIs before his thumb injury, Soderstrom had 19 homers and 56 RBIs, and Langeliers had 23 home runs. Their absence has removed a significant portion of the Athletics’ power production.
Philadelphia Phillies at Seattle Mariners — 9:40 p.m.
Philadelphia brings the longest active winning streak among Monday’s teams into Seattle.
The Phillies are 73-58 and second in the NL East, three games behind Atlanta. They have won nine consecutive games and are 9-1 over their last 10. Philadelphia currently holds the second National League Wild Card position.
Seattle enters at 62-69 and third in the AL West. Despite the losing record, the Mariners remain only three games from the final AL Wild Card position.
Monday features an excellent pitching matchup.
Zack Wheeler starts for Philadelphia with a 10-4 record, 2.92 ERA and 144 strikeouts. Seattle counters with Logan Gilbert, who is 10-7 with a 3.35 ERA and 157 strikeouts.
Gilbert has won his past two starts, while Wheeler remains one of the primary reasons Philadelphia’s rotation is so difficult to face.
Philadelphia does have several injury questions heading into the game. Bryson Stott is day-to-day after fouling a ball off his right foot Sunday. X-rays were negative. Luis Arraez is dealing with lower-body cramping, while Derek Hill has neck stiffness. Neither injury has been described as a major long-term concern.
Seattle has more definite absences. Brendan Donovan was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list Sunday. J.P. Crawford is out with a wrist injury, Colt Emerson is also on the injured list with a wrist problem, and Luke Raley remains on the 60-day injured list.
Kyle Schwarber provides another reason to watch Philadelphia. He enters Monday leading the majors with 39 home runs and hit a 459-foot go-ahead homer Sunday as the Phillies erased a late four-run deficit against St. Louis.
A 10th consecutive victory would keep pressure on Atlanta in the NL East and strengthen Philadelphia’s Wild Card position.
Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants — 9:45 p.m.
Monday’s final game features two teams outside the National League postseason race, but it also provides one of the most intriguing young pitching performances to watch.
Cincinnati enters at 62-69 and fifth in the NL Central. San Francisco is 52-78 and fourth in the NL West.
The Reds will start 23-year-old Chase Burns, who has emerged as one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Burns is 14-2 with a 2.51 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings. Cincinnati has won 18 of his 24 starts.
San Francisco counters with left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, who is 3-4 with a 7.03 ERA. Whisenhunt has been substantially better at Oracle Park, posting a 3.86 ERA at home compared with a 10.34 ERA on the road.
Cincinnati remains without Spencer Steer because of a wrist injury. Hunter Greene is also on the 60-day injured list because of an elbow injury.
The Giants have their own injury concerns. Willy Adames left Sunday’s game after injuring his left elbow on an awkward slide and was scheduled to undergo an MRI Monday. Matt Chapman, Casey Schmitt and Marcelo Mayer are among the other position players currently sidelined.
While neither Cincinnati nor San Francisco appears likely to reach the postseason, Burns gives the Reds a considerable pitching advantage in the series opener.
Playoff Races Take Center Stage
Monday’s 10-game schedule offers several games with implications that stretch well beyond a single night.
Tampa Bay is trying to preserve its three-game advantage over the Yankees in the AL East. Chicago is attempting to protect a 3½-game lead in the AL Central, while Texas is tied with Houston atop the AL West despite being one game under .500.
The American League Wild Card race is even tighter. Boston currently holds a postseason position, while Cleveland is fighting around the final qualifying spot. Minnesota and Seattle remain close enough that a strong week could change their seasons.
In the National League, Philadelphia’s nine-game winning streak has moved the Phillies within three games of Atlanta in the NL East while strengthening their Wild Card position. The Cubs currently hold the first Wild Card, Philadelphia the second and San Diego the third, with Arizona just two games behind the Padres.
That makes Cubs-Diamondbacks especially important. A strong Arizona series could dramatically tighten the race, while Chicago has an opportunity to create separation.
The Padres have also become one of baseball’s hottest teams at exactly the right time. Their 21-7 run over the past month has changed the complexion of the NL playoff race and placed them in postseason position entering the final five weeks.
With roughly 30 games remaining for most clubs, Monday marks the point in the season when every series between contenders can significantly alter the standings. The schedule may contain only 10 games, but several could have consequences that are still being felt when the postseason field is decided in late September.