MLB SERIES TO WATCH THIS COMING WEEK

CARDINALS AT BRAVES (SEPT. 17-19)

It’s the start of a huge week for the Braves, who play their final seven regular-season home games against St. Louis and then the Philadelphia Phillies, their only competition for the National League East title. It’s also big for the Cardinals, whose strong second half has put them in playoff contention. The Braves swept a three-game series June 29-July 1 at Busch Stadium, just before Mike Shildt replaced Mike Matheny as the Cardinals manager.

MARINERS AT ASTROS (SEPT. 17-19)

Seattle had hoped to challenge Houston for the American League West title, but that’s no longer realistic and the Mariners’ fading wild-card hopes are almost kaput, too, as they wrap up their season series with the Astros. The teams have split 16 games this season, and that includes the Mariners’ four-game sweep last month at Houston as closer Edwin Diaz got the save in each of the victories. The Mariners face AL West teams in their final 17 games.

ROCKIES AT DODGERS (SEPT. 17-19)

The NL West and wild-card contenders have split their six games at Dodger Stadium, and “home run or bust” was the dominant theme. The Dodgers hit six homers but batted .192 with zero stolen bases. Their best hitter at home, where their OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) are 30 points below their road rate, is Max Muncy (18 homers, .979 OPS). The Rockies have batted .195 at Dodger Stadium with seven homers, including two apiece by Nolan Arenado and Ian Desmond.

CUBS AT DIAMONDBACKS (SEPT. 17-19)

The Cubs are looking to win their third consecutive NL Central title while the Diamondbacks are aiming for their first NL West crown since 2011. The teams split a four-game series in July at Chicago, and the final game was particularly memorable —David Bote and Anthony Rizzo hit back-to-back homers to give the Cubs a walkoff victory. Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 5-for-15 (.333) with one double and one home run, and Cubs shortstop Javier Baez was 3- for-10 (.300).

RED SOX AT YANKEES (SEPT. 18-20)

The Red Sox lead the season series 8-5 and have outscored the Yankees 81-62. But New York is 4-2 against Boston at Yankee Stadium, and with six games left in the season between the two AL East behemoths the Yankees still have time to catch the first-place Red Sox. Mookie Betts is batting .412 with two home runs, 10 RBI and 16 runs scored against the Yankees this season, while Giancarlo Stanton is hitting .408 with three homers, 10 RBI and 11 runs against Boston.

WHITE SOX AT INDIANS (SEPT. 18-20)

The Indians are cruising to their third consecutive AL Central title, while the rebuilding White Sox hope to be contenders once their youth movement comes to fruition. Chicago had its first winning month of the season in August, going 17-12, but has lost 10 of 13 to Cleveland this season. Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez is hitting .356 (16-for-45) with three doubles, five home runs and 10 RBI in the season series.