While the notion of a “big series” over a 162-game season is somewhat oxymoronic – especially in May – this week’s slate of major league games provide an array of compelling matchups. USA TODAY Sports breaks down several of them:
Cubs at Pirates (Monday-Wednesday)
Why it matters: In a rematch of last season’s wild-card game, the two teams atop the NL Central meet for the first time in 2016. The Cubs have a three-game lead in the division and this could be an early statement series for either team.
Mood meter: Both teams come in hot, the Pirates having won eight of 10 and the Cubs eight of 11. Pittsburgh is averaging seven runs a game during that stretch, with Gregory Polanco hitting .341 with 10 extra-base hits.
What to watch: Jake Arrieta (5-0, 1.00 ERA) goes for the Cubs on Tuesday, his last start against Pittsburgh being an 11-strikeout shutout in the wild-card game.
Rangers at Blue Jays (Monday-Thursday)
Why it matters: These two teams met in a thrilling five-game ALDS last season with Toronto coming out on top after an epic, nearly hourlong inning of drama. You’ll remember The Jose Bautista Bat Flip in Game 5, which divided a continent over the ethics and ethos of celebration, retaliation and the dispersal of joy. Might the Rangers retaliate? They’ll play each other seven times in the next two weeks, with this four-game series kicking things off.
Mood meter: The Rangers are 5-5 in their last 10, but have gotten major production from newbie Ian Desmond (1.180 OPS) over that stretch. Toronto hasn’t gotten going yet, the team’s .230 batting average ranking 25th in baseball, with just 15 runs in the last five games.
What to watch: Colby Lewis (2-0, 3.19 ERA) starts for the Rangers on Thursday, having struggled against this group of hitters, who have a combined .983 OPS against him.
Dodgers at Rays (Tuesday-Wednesday)
Why it matters: The two-game series is a homecoming for Dodgers president Andrew Friedman, who served as the Rays’ GM from 2006-2014, building the (Devil) Rays into a regular contender.
Mood meter: Los Angeles, tied for the NL West lead entering Monday, has lost six of seven and Adrian Gonzalez is stuck in an 0-for-20 slump in that stretch. Logan Forsythe has been on a tear for the Rays, hitting .444 (20-for-45) in his last 12 games. Tampa Bay is off to an 11-13 start.
What to watch: Scott Kazmir (1-2, 5.76) starts Tuesday for the Dodgers against his former team. The 32-year-old pitched well last time out after giving up 14 earned runs in his previous three starts.
Nationals at Cubs (Thursday-Sunday)
Why it matters: Ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in this week’s power rankings, could this be a preview of the NLCS? It’s early, but the Nationals look like the most imposing roadblock for a Cubs team widely picked to win the World Series. The Nationals get into the meat of things this week, with this four-game set at Wrigley coming on the heels of three in Kansas City.
Mood meter: It looked like the Nationals’ hot start was over when they were swept by the Phillies last week, but the NL East leaders came back and took all three over the weekend in St. Louis. However, Bryce Harper is 2-for-19 with no extra-base hits in his last six games.
What to watch: It’s been all about the starting pitching, with the Nationals (2.18) and Cubs (2.27) rotations leading the majors in ERA. The Cubs will miss Stephen Strasburg (4-0, 2.25 ERA), but have to deal with everyone else, including Max Scherzer (3-1, 3.55 ERA) on Friday.
