MLB SERIES TO WATCH THIS WEEK

BRAVES AT BREWERS (JULY 5-8)

These two surprise first place teams have remained ahead of the favored Washington Nationals (National League East) and Chicago Cubs (NL Central) for most of the first half but could find themselves in competition with each other for a wild-card berth. Either way, this sets up as a significant series. Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman is 9-for-18 in his past five games at Miller Park with four homers and seven RBI.

CARDINALS AT GIANTS (JULY 5-8)

Two teams that have faced each other in some memorable postseason series are within striking distance of first place in their respective divisions as they meet for the first time in 2018 in a four-game series at AT& T Park in San Francisco. The Cardinals have won each of the past three season series but by just a combined 12-8. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina has 15 RBI in those 20 games while hitting three doubles, one triple and two home runs. Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford has batted .365 with eight doubles, a triple and two homers.

YANKEES AT BLUE JAYS (JULY 6-8)

The Yankees lead the season series 7-3 and have outscored the Blue Jays 50-30. The Yankees are 4-2 at Rogers Centre this season, matching their win total at Toronto last year. Aaron Judge’s 13 homers against Toronto are tied with Baltimore for his most against any opponent, and his five homers at Rogers Centre are his most at any road ballpark. Since 2015, Jay’s catcher Russell Martin has 11 homers against the Yankees, his most against any opponent.

DODGERS AT ANGELS (JULY 6-8)

Three games in Anaheim, California, will give the Dodgers a designated hitter for the first time this year. Candidates include third baseman Justin Turner, who batted .350 in five, games as the DH last year, and corner infielder Max Muncy, a former American Leaguer. En route to 104 victories last season, the Dodgers went 16-4 in interleague games but split four with the Angels.

REDS AT INDIANS (JULY 9-11)

The in-state rivals meet at Progressive Field in Cleveland for a three-game series in the first installment of this season’s Ohio Cup series. They meet again Aug. 13-15 for three games at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The teams split four games last season after the Indians took a combined nine of 10 in 2015 and 2016. Last year, Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion went 5-for-15 (.333) against the Reds with two doubles and two home runs. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart was 4-for-7 (.571) with a double vs. Cleveland.

ATHLETICS AT ASTROS (JULY 9-12)

This series figures to feature big swings and misses as these teams attempt to launch long balls. Both offenses are among the major league leaders in home runs, and Oakland is also one of the lineups that strikes out the most. The A’s could produce an impressive number of whiffs considering the Astros’ potential arsenal of Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole (27 strikeouts in 18 2 ⁄ 3 innings vs. Oakland) and Dallas Keuchel. Houston is 8-1 against Oakland this year and has outscored the A’s 70-28.