Only two weeks remain in the regular season and, at this point in the year, who you play is as important as how you're playing. The new, more balanced schedule means division rivals all play very similar schedules, but sometimes you catch a good opponent when they're cold or a bad opponent when they're hot. Timing is everything in this game.
With the caveat that any team can beat any other team on any night in this game, here are three teams with what is, on paper, a favorable schedule the rest of the season, plus three teams with a difficult remaining schedule, again on paper. That three-game series in Cleveland beginning Monday could go down as one of the most important series of the year in all of baseball, not just for the ChiSox and Guardians. Chicago's AL Central lead has dwindled to a half-game over Cleveland, though the White Sox do lead the season series 6-4.
One more head-to-head win secures the tiebreaker, which could be enormous. It could be the difference between getting a bye straight to the ALDS and having to go on the road for the Wild Card Series. After these three ultra-important games in Cleveland, the White Sox will face three teams that are well out of the race, if not already eliminated from postseason contention.
The Rockies have been eliminated, the Royals will be eliminated soon, and the Tigers could be eliminated during their series with Chicago. First things first: The ChiSox have to take care of business in Cleveland. After that, they have a fairly soft landing the rest of the way.
The Mariners were kind enough to remind everyone you can't assume wins against bad teams. They played seven of their last 10 games against the woebegone Athletics, and went 2-5 in those seven games. Twice this past weekend, they gave up a walk-off two-run home run while leading by one run.
Close out those wins and go 4-3 rather than 2-5 against the A's, and the Mariners are only three games behind the Astros in the AL West. Instead, they're five back in the division. Still, the Mariners will play 10 of their final 12 games against the two worst teams in baseball.
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