5 series to keep your eye on this week

The 2023 schedule options extra completely different matchups than ever earlier than as every workforce performs one another workforce over the course of the season. Some of those distinctive sequence pop up this week, together with a pair of Interleague matchups between first-place squads. Here are 5 sequence to look at throughout the week of May 15:

Angels (21-20) at Orioles (26-14)
4 video games (Monday-Thursday)

Head-to-head: The Orioles dominated the sequence in 2022, taking eight of 9 video games in opposition to the Angels. Both groups are improved to date this season, although. Baltimore at the moment has the second-best file within the American League whereas Los Angeles is one recreation above .500 after ending 16 video games beneath final season.

Storyline: The Orioles’ scorching begin. If it wasn’t for the Tampa Bay Rays, who’re making MLB historical past with their begin to the season, this younger Baltimore workforce can be the speak of baseball. The Orioles had been checked out by most as one 12 months away from really competing within the robust AL East. It appears like they’ve arrived early.

Watch out for: Everyone is aware of about what Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are doing. But check out the 12 months Hunter Renfroe is having. Renfroe has 10 house runs to date this season, which is tied for the eighth-most within the Majors. The Angels added Renfroe hoping that he would supply some safety for Trout and Ohtani of their lineup. He’s carried out that after which some.

Braves (25-15) at Rangers (25-15)
3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)

Head-to-head: The Braves and Rangers matched up final season for the primary time because the 2017 season. Texas took two out of three throughout that sequence regardless of Atlanta being the significantly better workforce in 2022. That’s modified this season — each groups lead their division by a wholesome margin.

Storyline: Are the Rangers for actual? After an enormous offseason that introduced in Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney and a brand new supervisor in Bruce Bochy, Texas followers anticipated an enchancment on 2022. But this good? A strong exhibiting in opposition to this wonderful Braves workforce might assist show to doubters that the Rangers are right here to remain.

Watch out for: Ronald Acuña Jr., who is maybe the main NL MVP candidate at this level within the season. After tearing his ACL in July 2021, Acuña did not fairly appear like himself final season. He’s undoubtedly again to being himself now. Acuña is second the National League in batting common (.346) and stolen bases (17) all whereas flashing his pre-injury energy (8 house runs).

Twins (23-18) at Dodgers (26-15)
3 video games (Monday-Wednesday)

Head-to-head: Like the Braves and Rangers, the Twins and Dodgers have not performed a lot in latest seasons. But once they have, Los Angeles has stolen the present. Going again to 2011, the Dodgers have received every of their final 10 video games in opposition to the Twins.

Storyline: Carlos Correa‘s struggles. After a roller-coaster offseason, Correa ended again up in Minnesota, however the season hasn’t began as deliberate for the star shortstop. Correa is hitting simply .200 with a .676 OPS and a 87 wRC+. Correa has been vocal about his frustrations. Is this the sequence he turns it round?

Watch out for: Will Smith. Thanks to a concussion that price him about two weeks of enjoying time, Smith’s counting stats aren’t the flashiest, however he is the Dodgers’ most precious participant when he is on the sector. Smith is slashing .322/.417/.598 with a 172 wRC+, filling the footwear of Trea Turner and Justin Turner in LA’s lineup from the catching place.

Rays (31-11) at Mets (20-21)
3 video games (Tuesday-Thursday)

Head-to-head: The Rays have received 5 out of six video games in opposition to the Mets since 2020, however each sequence got here earlier than New York turned the big-market juggernaut they’re immediately. The Mets have struggled whereas coping with accidents to date this season, however do not be shocked if these are the final two groups standing in October.

Storyline: Tampa Bay’s historic begin. They already maintain a four-game lead within the AL East — a division filled with potential playoff groups. There’s a whole lot of season left, however the Rays are on tempo to be one of many easiest groups of all time.

Watch out for: New York’s beginning pitching. It’s been … not nice. The beginning pitchers’ 5.38 ERA to date this season is eighth-worst within the league. Now, the Mets have had their justifiable share of accidents — Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Carlos Carrasco have all missed time. But in the event that they wish to compete within the NL East, their beginning unit should enhance.

Red Sox (22-19) at Padres (19-22)
3 video games (Friday-Sunday)

Head-to-head: The Red Sox have had all of the enjoyable versus the Padres over the previous decade, going 7-2 in 9 contests, however these are two very different-looking groups because the final time they met in 2019.

Storyline: The Xander Bogaerts and Red Sox reunion. Bogaerts performed the primary 10 years of his profession in Boston earlier than becoming a member of San Diego this previous offseason.

Watch out for: Juan Soto. He’s popping out of his stoop. Soto has gone off over the past two weeks, averaging .370/.473/.696 because the calendar turned to May.