⚾️ MLB 6/27: SM Weekend Primer 🏟️
A preview of the biggest series this weekend + players to watch
Hey all! Welcome to the Weekend Primer where we run through our must-watch series to watch over the next three days along with players and stats to know.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the action this weekend!
San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds
Last Time Out: The Padres took two out of three at home this week vs. Washington and now sits in the last Wild Card spot in the National League. The Cincinnati Reds took two out of three in the Queen City vs. the New York Yankees. They sit 2.5 GB of San Diego in the Wild Card and six games back of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Padres took two out of three the last time these two meet in Cincinnati.
Series Notes: Padres have the 4th lowest BAA this season (.227) … Machado has a .923 OPS on the road this season … Andrew Abbott had a 1.42 ERA in his last two starts … Elly de La Cruz is slashing .360/.396/.780 with five home runs in his last 15 games … Padres have the lowest hard-hit % this season (36.6) … Reds have 4th highest batting average vs. RHP in league (.258)
Prediction: Padres take the series in the Queen City.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
Last Time Out: Phillies are coming off a brutal sweep in Houston where they only scored one run in the finale and out now 2nd in the NL East behind the Mets. The Braves are 6-4 in their last 10 games and dropped the final two games in a four-game series vs. the Mets to split in New York. This is the third series between these two teams this year with it being evenly split at 3-3. Philadelphia will hope to stay within touching distance of first in the NL East and Atlanta hopes to keep crawling their way back into contention.
Series Notes: Atlanta is 6th in the league at walks this season … Phillies lead the NL in SOs this season (746) … Philadelphia leads the league in Quality Starts (45) … Ronald Acuna leads the league in OPS (1.226) over the last two weeks … Matt Olson is slashing .354/.458/.521 over the last 13 games … Nick Castellanos has an OPS of .943 in his last seven games
Prediction: Braves take the series and the Phillies struggles continue
Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers
Last Time Out: These teams have meet six times already this year with Seattle sweeping Texas in Washington state and took two of three in Arlington last time. Texas is coming off a series win in Baltimore and Seattle lost their series in Minnesota. Seattle in 6.5 GB of Houston for first in the AL West and Texas is 8 GB. Both of these teams are hoping to stay within touching distance of the playoffs.
Series Notes: Cal Raleigh has a 1.184 OPS over the last two weeks and 18 home runs on the road … Josh Smith is slashing .341/.408/.560 at home this year … J.P. Crawford has a .819 OPS vs. RHP this season … Seattle has hit the 4th most home runs on the road this year (60) … Texas has given up fewest home runs at home in AL (29) … Rangers have best home WHIP in the league
Prediction: Mariners continue their dominance over Texas this season
Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros
Last Time Out: Houston swept the Cubs in Wrigley in their only meeting last season. Astros dominated the Phillies in a three-game sweep this week as they only allowed one earned run. The Cubs lost their first two games in St. Louis but bounced back to split the series. Cubs are just 5-5 in their last 10, but hold a three game lead in the NL Central. Houston is in first in the AL West, 48-33, and on a four-game winning streak.
Series Notes: Kyle Tucker plays against Houston in the first game since they traded him to this very Cubs team … Tucker is slashing .364/.451/.659 over his last 12 games … Reese McGuire has three home runs in his last seven games … Cam Smith and Mauricio Dubon have OPS over .900 the last two weeks … Jeremy Pena is hitting .362 at home this year … Houston has 2nd-best team ERA (3.40) and tied best WHIP (1.14) … Cubs lead the league in away home runs (74) and OPS (.803)
Prediction: The Astros, with the most home wins this year, keeps winning in Houston
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Kansas City Royals
Last Time Out: The Dodgers took two out of three in Souther California last season in these clubs only meeting. These two teams had polar opposite weeks coming into this series, the Dodgers sweeping the Rockies in Denver and the Royals getting swept at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. Dodgers are right where you expect them at first in the NL West and the NL’s best record at 51-31. The Royals are 38-43 and 12.5 GB of the first place Detroit Tigers.
Series Notes: Royals rank last in the league in runs scored (263) … They have the worst OBP (.286) and SLG (.330) as the home team this year … Dodgers are first in runs scored … Dodgers lead the league in hits (743), BA (.265), OBP (.340), and SLG (.462) … Royals 5th-best team WHIP at home in AL … Maikel Garcia has a .918 OPS in his last 12 games … Shohei Ohtani is slugging .627 on the road this year … Max Muncy has a 1.118 OPS in his last 12 games
Prediction: No problem for the might Dodgers as they take two out of three in KC