3 series to watch this weekend
The league's schedule-makers have to be quite pleased with what's on tap for the penultimate weekend of the regular season.
At least one division is at stake, so is a wild card, and plenty of other series could swing the playoff pendulum in favor of one club or another.
Here are three weekend series you won't want to miss:
Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals
This is the final series remaining for either team that involves a playoff-bound opponent. With just a half game separating the two clubs, this weekend's set will likely determine who's crowned American League Central champions at month's end.
Since taking 25 of 28 over a red-hot stretch beginning July 22, the Royals are stumbling to the finish line.
Working in their favor is "Big Game" James Shields, who will help negate Tigers ace Max Scherzer when the teams face off Saturday in this weekend's marquee matchup.
The X-factor in the series could very well be Justin Verlander, who gets the ball opposite Jason Vargas in the opener Friday night. Verlander has recorded just one quality start over his last six outings and sports a 5.57 ERA against the Royals.
Royals beware: Miguel Cabrera is hitting an absurd .412/.464/.745 with four homers and five doubles over his last 13 games.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh
The addition of the second wild card has put extra emphasis on winning the division for teams looking to avoid the randomness of a one-game play-in.
Pittsburgh, which is in good position to secure a playoff berth under three different scenarios, will without a doubt be playing for the Central this weekend. The Pirates enter the set in sole possession of the second wild card, two games back of wild card-leading San Francisco, and 2 1/2 behind St. Louis for the division.
Milwaukee holds the starting pitching advantage on paper, but Pittsburgh's offense has been on fire during its recent 11 out of 13 stretch, averaging 5.6 runs per game. The Pirates also play extremely well at PNC Park, as evidenced by a National League-best 49-29 home record.
The Brewers are reeling from a pair of crushing defeats in St. Louis, but remain in striking distance of the Pirates with a 3 1/2-game deficit. Milwaukee has a slightly more favorable schedule next week, and owns an 11-5 advantage over the Pirates this season head to head.
Cincinnati at St. Louis
While the Pirates and Brewers do battle, the Cardinals will be looking to reduce their magic number down from eight.
Not only do they enter the series surging - winners in 14 of their last 19 games - but St. Louis is sending three of its best pitchers sans Adam Wainwright to the mound.
Veteran right-hander John Lackey gets the ball Friday, followed by Michael Wacha, and Lance Lynn in the nationally-broadcast Sunday night game.
Wacha's start will be of particular interest to the Cardinals and their fans, as the right-hander looks to regain his pre-injury form after two underwhelming outings.