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3 series to watch this week with huge playoff implications

Benny Sieu / USA TODAY Sports

With exactly two weeks left in the MLB season, playoff races are heating up in both leagues, and key divisional battles are becoming magnified as the drive for October kicks into high gear.

Here are three series you don't want to miss this week:

Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels

The Angels' magic number is four to clinch the American League West entering this four-game series beginning Monday, so don't expect Mike Scioscia and company to take this series lightly. Los Angeles had a 10-game winning streak snapped Sunday by the Houston Astros, but is undoubtedly playing its best baseball of the season.

Monday marks the start of a daunting 11-game road trip for the Mariners, who trail the Kansas City Royals by one game for the final AL wild-card spot. Being away from home is not necessarily a disadvantage for Seattle, though, as evidenced by its stellar 42-28 road record. What is troubling, however, is the quality of opponents remaining on the Mariners' schedule. They square off with the Angels seven times down the stretch, four times with the Toronto Blue Jays, who are also still in the playoff hunt, and three times with the Houston Astros.

Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates

This is a make-or-break week for the Brewers. Milwaukee travels to St. Louis on Tuesday for a three-game set with the National League Central leaders before heading to PNC Park for three more contests with the Pirates, who are clinging to the final NL wild-card spot.

The Brewers start the week five games back of the Cardinals and trail the Pirates by 1.5 games in the wild card race. To say this is by far the most important week of the season for Ron Roenicke and company would be a huge understatement. The good news: Milwaukee holds an 11-5 series edge over Pittsburgh.

Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals

The Tigers have opened up a 1.5-game lead in the AL Central and will need to continue their dominance over the Royals for the final three games of their series this weekend to remain on top. Detroit holds an 11-5 advantage over Kansas City to this point, including taking two of three from the Royals last week at Comerica Park.

The Royals are clinging to the final AL wild-card spot, but have a much easier schedule than the lingering Mariners down the stretch. Kansas City hits the road exclusively after its three games with Detroit, finishing in Cleveland (three games) and then Chicago (four games). That being said, Kansas City would much rather enter post-season play as the division winner and avoid a one-game showdown in the wild card.

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