MLB Notable Weekend Matchups 9/22-9/23: Padres @ Dodgers

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Major League Baseball - Notable Weekend Matchups 9/22-9/23 By: Chris Watford for NoLuckNeeded.com

With less than 15 games less in the 2018 season we just keep inching closer and closer towards the finish line. I might sound like a broken record, but it really is an incredibly close race, with some teams looking ready for the playoffs and other teams limping their way to the finish line (looking at you, Yankees). It’s possible that the Red Sox could clinch the AL East Title at the Yankees’ stadium this year and their World Series odds are looking pretty decent as well. With only a couple of teams left in the playoff race, let’s take a look at this weekend’s most notable matchups.

Milwaukee Brewers @ Pittsburgh Pirates 9/22

The Brewers have the Wild Card spot all but locked up, they’re sitting 3.5 games above the Rockies for the position, but they’re also sitting 3.5 games behind the Cubs for a lock on the NL Central. The Brewers would prefer to have a lock for a playoff spot compared to having a one-game show down. If the Brewers want to catch up to the Cubs they need to start with the Pirates this weekend. The Pirates’ pitchers shut down the Brewers offense in their last outing - with 16 scoreless innings. Zach Davies is expected to start for the Brewers opposite of Trevor Williams. In his last outing, Davies gave up two runs on three hits against the Pirates. Pirates’ pitcher, Trevor Williams was one of the leading contributors in the Pirates’ previous success against the Brewers. Williams is sitting on a 1.10 ERA in his last 11 starts. Catch this game this Saturday at 7:05 PM ET on ATPT or FSWI.

San Diego Padres @ LA Dodgers 9/23

While this isn’t the most exciting matchup, with both teams having drastically different records, it’s an important one for the Dodgers. The Padres’ season is all but over, but the Dodgers are in a close race: sitting 1.5 games ahead of the Rockies. To make things even easier for the Dodgers they have the easiest path to the finish line, with matchups against the Padres, the D-Backs and the Giants. The Padres starting pitcher is yet to be announced, but Hyun-Jin Ryu is expected to throw out the first pitch for LA. In his last outing, Ryu went seven scoreless innings against the Rockies and holds a 2.21 ERA in his last seven games. First pitch will be thrown this Sunday at 9/23 on FSSD or SNLA at 4:10 PM ET.

Colorado Rockies @ Arizona D-Backs 9/23

While the Rockies are sitting only a game behind the Cardinals for the NL Wild Card, things aren’t looking great for them. While other competing teams have easy schedules for the remainder of the season, the Rockies, unfortunately, do not. The Rockies will face the Dodgers, then the Diamondbacks, then they close out the season with home games against the Phillies and the Nationals. It’s going to be pretty tricky for them, but making the Wild Card is completely doable (there’s also the possibility for a multi-team tie). The Rockies’ starting pitcher has yet to be announced, but Patrick Corbin is expected to start for the Diamondbacks. Corbin is 11-6 on the season with a 3.09 ERA. Catch this important game this Sunday on TBS at 4:10 PM ET.

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