MLB playoff push: The five most important series in last week of 2020 regular season – CBS Sports

Reds.
4-3 vs. MIL.
19-18.

Because groups play local schedules in 2020– 40 games against division rivals and 20 more versus the matching department in the other league (e.g., NL East vs. AL East)– the Giants dont have any head-to-head video games versus the Brewers or reds. As for the Reds, they likewise hold the edge over the Brewers thanks to their winning 4 of seven head-to-head video games against Milwaukee. Depending upon how the Giants fare in their four-game home series versus the Rockies, Milwaukee would have a one video game lead over the Reds, even the season series versus the Cincy, and push the tiebreaker in between the two teams all the way to the “last 20 games +1” level (the Reds would still hold that tiebreaker for the moment). They trail the Braves by three games in the division with, as you see above, 4 head-to-head games still to play. After they wrap up in Atlanta, the Marlins head to the Bronx for 3 games to end the regular season.

Considering that teams play local schedules in 2020– 40 games versus department rivals and 20 more versus the corresponding department in the other league (e.g., NL East vs. AL East)– the Giants do not have any head-to-head games versus the Brewers or reds. So to break such cross-division ties, you go to intradivisional record. The Giants come up brief in that regard (although, as well quickly see, they have a chance to change that)..
As for the Reds, they also hold the edge over the Brewers thanks to their winning four of seven head-to-head video games against Milwaukee. Thats why the Reds right now are in ownership of the last playoff spot in the NL– they win tiebreakers versus the Brewers and Giants. Depending upon how the Giants fare in their four-game home series versus the Rockies, Milwaukee would have a one video game lead over the Reds, even the season series versus the Cincy, and push the tiebreaker between the two teams all the way to the “last 20 video games +1” level (the Reds would still hold that tiebreaker for the moment).
2. Brewers at Cardinals, 5 games, Sept. 24-27.
Speaking of which, yes, the Brewers and Cardinals have 5 head-to-heads yet to play, and theyll knock those out to end the regular season. The Cardinals are successfully one game clear of the three-team fray competing for the No. 8 seed, so at this writing St. Louis playoff spot is barely locked in. If either the Brewers and Reds sweep the abovementioned series in Cincy, then possibly the St. Louis series becomes less meaningful.
3. Padres at Giants, 4 games, Sept. 25-27.
As kept in mind, the Giants– locked in a mortal battle with the Reds and Brewers– play a four-game home set against the Rockies. One thing that may increase the Giants hopes in this one is if the Padres are resting some regulars and taking it simple on their starting pitchers in advance of the playoffs. The Padres status bears keeping an eye on with regard to this series.
4. Marlins at Braves, 4 games, Sept. 21-24.
The Cinderella Marlins are right now the No. 5 seed in the NL, and they still have a shot at the NL East title. They route the Braves by 3 video games in the department with, as you see above, 4 head-to-head video games still to play. A sweep certainly puts the Marlins in front, and taking 3 of four puts them one video game out with 3 to play. Hence far in 2020, the Marlins are 3-3 against the Braves, although theyve been outscored 41-31 in those video games..
Reasonably, the Marlins are likely playing to maintain a Wild Card area. After they cover up in Atlanta, the Marlins head to the Bronx for three games to end the routine season. Thats a difficult stretch, assuming the Yankees have anything to bet at that point. Today, the Marlins are a video game up on the Phillies for 2nd place in the NL East (remember that second-place finishers get a guaranteed playoff spot this year). Miami is basically 1 1/2 games ahead of the.500 trio contending for the No. 8 seed. Connecting all of it together, as of Monday early morning the SportsLine Projection Model (@SportsLine on Twitter) provides the Marlins an 86.6 percent possibility of making great on their unlikely playoff push. That figure will be tested, nevertheless, by two of the finest teams in baseball to complete the routine season.
5. Phillies at Rays, three video games, Sept. 25-27.
The Phillies in Joe Girardis very first season are the No. 7 seed in the NL at the moment, however a mere half-game separates them from the Reds, Brewers, and Giants. Philly ends up on the road, first with four against the Nationals and after that 3 versus the Rays. The Rays have a magic number of 4 to clinch the AL East, so its possible theyll remain in “just remain healthy” mode for this series. Of course, given the Tampa Bay lineup depth and patchwork method to excellence, would you even notice?.
The good news for Philly is that they ought to get a combined overall of 4 more starts from Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler the rest of the method. Those tandem aces have integrated for a 2.78 ERA in 2020. The staying Philly beginners, meantime, have an ERA of 5.56. Offered those numbers and the superfund website that is the Phillies bullpen, they require to benefit from those 4 Wheeler-Nola trips to the bump..
Bonus offer: Cardinals at Tigers doubleheader, Sept. 28 (perhaps).
Now the Cardinals, who were forced to shut down for approximately two weeks due to the fact that of a COVID-19 break out within the club, are scheduled to play 58 video games. If, nevertheless, seeding or playoff spots depend upon the result of that doubleheader, then it will be made up on that Monday in between the end of the regular season and the start of the postseason Wild Card round.

Head-to-head record (if appropriate).
Intradivision record.
Record in final 20 division video games (plus one till the tie is broken).

Giants.
N/A.
15-17.

Were now in the final week of the 2020 MLB regular season, and despite the fact that time is going out the standings remain splendidly muddled, specifically in the National League. Thanks in part to the broadened 16-team postseason, weve got multiple playoff spots still up for grabs, and remember there are no tiebreaker video games for 2020. To set the scene for the possible madness to come, lets run down the five most crucial series left on the ever-dwindling regular season schedule..
These 5 series will go a long method towards identifying the final playoff field.
1. Brewers at Reds, three video games, Sept. 21-23.
Going into Mondays slate, the Reds, Brewers, and Giants are all.500 and in essence tied for the final and 8th playoff area in the NL. That “in essence” qualifier is quite essential. As simply pointed out, the compressed 2020 baseball calendar permits no tiebreaker video games, so ties for seeding, division titles, and even final playoff spots will be determined by the following method:.

Makers.
3-4 vs. CIN.
16-16.

Now lets take a look at how these tiebreakers presently stand, in table format for simple digestion:.