Matchups

The Washington Nationals have a chance to pull closer to at least one team they are chasing in the National League East starting Tuesday, when they kick off a four-game home series with a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves also can make a big statement this week, entering the series 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the East standings and 4 1/2 games ahead of the Nationals, and a big showing by either team could help shape the division race.

The Houston Astros placed yet another All-Star on the disabled list Monday but still managed to win for the fifth time in six games. The injury-plagued Astros conclude their brief two-game interleague series against the host San Francisco Giants on Tuesday without three top hitters - including George Springer, who will miss the next two weeks with a sprained left thumb.

The Washington Nationals have a chance to pull closer to at least one team they are chasing in the National League East starting Tuesday, when they kick off a four-game home series with a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves also can make a big statement this week, entering the series 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the East standings and 4 1/2 games ahead of the Nationals, and a big showing by either team could help shape the division race.

The surging Boston Red Sox brought out the brooms against an age-old rival to lift their spirits, douse those of their foes and strengthen a hold atop the American League East. Winners of 23 of the last 28, the Red Sox (79-34) aim to continue their good fortune north of the border as they begin a nine-game road trip on Tuesday with the opener a three-game series against the Blue Jays (51-60).

The streaky Tampa Bay Rays are having a hard time getting up for teams that reside below them in the standings. After being swept by the disappointing Chicago White Sox, the Rays (56-56) aim to regain their footing on Tuesday when they open a three-game series versus the visiting Baltimore Orioles (34-78).

The combination of Jeff McNeil and Wilmer Flores near the top of the new-look New York Mets' batting order doesn't appear to be all that intimidating, but their recent production may cause opponents to spend a little more time preparing for the duo. The Mets set their sights on a third win in four tries Tuesday when they continue a three-game set at home against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cleveland Indians have pushed their lead in the American League Central back into double digits and can take another step toward a third consecutive division crown when they continue a four-game series with the visiting Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. A dominant six innings from Trevor Bauer and an 11-hit effort led the Indians to a 10-0 victory in Monday's series opener, giving Cleveland a 10-game lead over the second-place Twins.

Marcell Ozuna's return to Florida was a successful one individually, but not enough of his St. Louis Cardinals teammates came along for the ride. The two-time All-Star hopes to keep the Cardinals' streak of series wins alive for at least one more day when St. Louis visits his former team - the Miami Marlins - for the second of a three-game series.

The Seattle Mariners are trying to recover from a season-high five-game slide and seek their third straight triumph when they visit the Texas Rangers on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Seattle squandered a three-run lead in the series opener before Ryon Healy's tiebreaking single in the 12th inning provided for a 4-3 victory.

The New York Yankees got exactly what they needed from newcomer Lance Lynn in the series opener and hope for a similar effort from CC Sabathia on Tuesday when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the middle contest of their three-game set. New York snapped its season-high five-game losing streak on Monday behind Lynn, who yielded two hits and registered nine strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings in his first start with the team.

The San Diego Padres are sitting in last place in the National League West but are spending the week trying to impact the race in the NL Central. The Padres, who just finished up a four-game series at the Chicago Cubs, will continue their road trip by visiting the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday.

The Chicago Cubs’ inconsistent offense has been a source of frustration, but the National League Central leaders have been able to rely on Javier Baez. The 2016 NL Championship Series MVP will try to stay hot, and the Cubs hope to get the rest of their bats going in the second of a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

The Colorado Rockies appear to be emerging from a brief funk and strive for their third straight victory when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Rockies put together a run of 20 victories in 26 games before beginning August with four straight setbacks prior to the back-to-back wins.

David Peralta's dramatic game-winning homer in the series opener elevated the Arizona Diamondbacks into first place in the National League West and they look to remain there when they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Peralta's second blast of Monday's game barely cleared the left-center field wall with one out in the bottom of the 14th inning as the Diamondbacks used the 3-2 victory to take a one-half game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Oakland Athletics are the hottest team in baseball as they make a surprising run at the Houston Astros atop the American League West. The Athletics will try to stay perfect on the homestand and stretch their winning streak to seven straight when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a two-game interleague series on Tuesday.

After dropping six of their previous seven contests, the Los Angeles Angels began their six-game homestand with a convincing victory over the Detroit Tigers. Los Angeles attempts to post consecutive wins for the first time since a four-game run from July 25-28 when it hosts Detroit on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set.