The MLB season is heating up, and as September rolls in, the pressure is on for teams vying for a coveted playoff spot. Just like Riley Greene and Tyler Holton showed us last year, unexpected runs can happen. This article breaks down the schedules of key MLB contenders, analyzing their upcoming games in the first two weeks of September to determine which teams face the toughest roads to the playoffs.
From securing a division title to fighting for a wild-card berth, every game counts. We’ll examine critical series and evaluate each team’s strength of schedule, providing insights into their chances of making a deep postseason run. Stay tuned as we explore which contenders have the most challenging paths ahead, and how they plan to navigate them.
We will focus on key series for each team and include their FanGraphs’ playoff odds and strength of schedule figures. We listed all 16 teams with winning records. Let’s dive in and see who’s primed for a September surge and who might stumble along the way. Here’s a breakdown of the American and National League contenders.
American League Contenders: Navigating September’s Challenges
The American League boasts several strong contenders, each facing unique challenges in their September schedules. The Detroit Tigers, despite their high playoff odds, must navigate a tricky series against the Yankees. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays have key matchups against both divisional rivals and AL West contenders. The Yankees themselves face a make-or-break stretch that could define their postseason hopes. The Boston Red Sox have a relatively soft schedule, punctuated by a crucial series against the Yankees. Here’s a closer look at each team’s path:
- Detroit Tigers: 80-58 (Playoff Odds: 99.9%, Strength of Schedule: .496). Key series: Sept. 9-11 at Yankees.
- Toronto Blue Jays: 79-58 (Playoff Odds: 99.8%, Strength of Schedule: .507). Key series: Sept. 5-7 at Yankees, Sept. 9-11 vs. Astros.
- New York Yankees: 76-61 (Playoff Odds: 98.9%, Strength of Schedule: .495). Key series: Sept. 2-4 at Astros.
- Boston Red Sox: 76-62 (Playoff Odds: 93.9%, Strength of Schedule: .505). Key series: Sept. 12-14 vs. Yankees.
Detroit Tigers: Balancing Act to Secure Top Seed
The Detroit Tigers, sitting comfortably with a 99.9 percent chance of making the playoffs, face a crucial stretch to secure the top seed in the American League. After a shaky week losing five of six to the Athletics and Royals, they bounced back with a strong performance from Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ upcoming schedule includes key series against both New York teams, offering a chance to prove their mettle against potential playoff rivals. According to the team’s schedule, the Yankees game could be the last winning team the Tigers play until they travel to Boston the last weekend of the season.
Their September schedule features matchups against teams with varying win percentages, testing their consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Key series include:
- Sept. 1-3: vs. TeamA (.537)
- Sept. 5-7: vs. TeamB (.353)
- Sept. 9-11: at Yankees (.559)
- Sept. 12-14: at TeamC (.471)
Toronto Blue Jays: Navigating a Critical Juncture
The Toronto Blue Jays, with a 99.8 percent playoff probability, face a pivotal stretch that could determine their postseason fate. They’re grappling with the challenge of holding off teams in their division while also fending off AL West teams vying for a first-round bye. According to the team’s schedule, losing ground on either front could push them into a wild-card series, making their upcoming games particularly crucial. Can they get it done?
Back-to-back series against the Yankees and Astros will test their ability to compete against top-tier opponents. Here are key series that will define their next few weeks:
- Sept. 1-3: at TeamD (.500)
- Sept. 5-7: at Yankees (.559)
- Sept. 9-11: vs. Astros (.551)
- Sept. 12-14: vs. TeamE (.449)
New York Yankees: Opportunity or Nightmare?
For the New York Yankees, the upcoming schedule presents a stark choice: either an opportunity to surge back into division contention or a potential nightmare that could derail their season. With a 98.9 percent playoff probability, the Yankees are aiming to climb back into the division race and secure a first-round bye. Coming off a week where they swept the Nationals and won three of four against the White Sox, the Yankees are now facing a much more challenging set of opponents.
Important series for the Yankees include:
- Sept. 2-4: at Astros (.551)
- Sept. 5-7: vs. TeamF (.574)
- Sept. 9-11: vs. TeamG (.577)
- Sept. 12-14: at TeamH (.547)
Boston Red Sox: Aiming for a Secure Playoff Spot
The Boston Red Sox, with a 93.9 percent chance of making the playoffs, have a golden opportunity to secure their spot. After recently taking three of four in the Bronx, they have another shot to take down their rival, the Yankees. This high-profile series is sandwiched between two series against the Athletics, giving the Red Sox a chance to capitalize on a relatively soft schedule. According to the schedule, the Red Sox will be well-rested and ready for the challenge.
Key series in their upcoming schedule include:
- Sept. 1-3: vs. TeamI (.507)
- Sept. 5-7: at TeamJ (.496)
- Sept. 8-10: at TeamK (.460)
- Sept. 12-14: vs. Yankees (.559)
National League: Tight Races and Tough Schedules
The National League presents a mix of dominant teams and tight races for the wild-card spots. The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies are nearly guaranteed playoff spots but still have crucial series to solidify their standings. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are battling for the NL West title, while teams like the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds are fighting for their playoff lives.
Milwaukee Brewers: Securing a Wild-Card Bye
The Milwaukee Brewers, with a 100 percent playoff probability, are focused on securing a wild-card bye. Their immediate goal is to add cushion to their lead in the standings, and their series against the Phillies is crucial for this purpose. According to the team’s schedule, it also provides key data points as they prepare for a potential postseason matchup against the same Phillies. Last season, the Phillies got the bye over the Brewers, and Milwaukee never made it past the wild-card round to face Philadelphia again.
Key series for the Brewers include:
- Sept. 1, 3-4: vs. Phillies (.581)
- Sept. 5-7: at TeamL (.445)
- Sept. 8-10: at TeamM (.511)
- Sept. 12-14: vs. TeamN (.496)
Philadelphia Phillies: Seeking Redemption Against the Mets
The Philadelphia Phillies, also with a 100 percent playoff probability, have a significant challenge in their upcoming schedule: the New York Mets. Considering how the Mets handled the Phillies last week, their rematch is particularly important. According to the team’s schedule, Philadelphia is now 2-7 against the Mets this season, which has done absolutely nothing to help the sting from last year’s NLDS result.
Important series for the Phillies include:
- Sept. 1, 3-4: at Brewers (.620)
- Sept. 5-7: at TeamO (.471)
- Sept. 8-11: vs. Mets (.537)
- Sept. 12-14: vs. TeamP (.515)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Gearing Up for a Playoff Push
The Los Angeles Dodgers, with a 99.9 percent playoff probability, have a relatively easy schedule in the first half of September, providing an opportunity to fine-tune their performance. According to the team’s schedule, after Pittsburgh, Los Angeles has two more last-place teams waiting, the Orioles and Rockies.
Key series for the Dodgers include:
- Sept. 2-4: at TeamQ (.445)
- Sept. 5-7: at TeamR (.449)
- Sept. 8-10: vs. TeamS (.279)
- Sept. 12-14: at Giants (.493)
Final Thoughts: September’s Crucial Games
As the MLB season heads into its final stretch, the upcoming schedules for these contenders will be decisive. From the American League’s Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays to the National League’s Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies, each team faces unique challenges and opportunities. The next few weeks will determine who makes a deep playoff run and who falls short. Stay tuned to FYM News for continued coverage and updates as the season unfolds.
With key series against division rivals and potential playoff opponents, the contenders must bring their best to secure a coveted spot in October. Only time will tell which teams will rise to the occasion and navigate their tough roads to the playoffs successfully.
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