Matchups

The New York Mets used the long ball and their usual dominant pitching to take the opener of an all-important Subway Series. They will attempt to claim the set and move closer to clinching the National League East when they host the New York Yankees in a Saturday matinee.

The Chicago Cubs are closing in on clinching their first playoff appearance since 2008, but they haven’t given up on catching the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. A resurgent Starlin Castro homered twice in Chicago’s 8-3 win in the opener of a three-game set to pull the Cubs within six games of Cardinals and will try to help the Cubs make up more ground Saturday.

The Los Angeles Angels aren’t sure how long Albert Pujols’ lengthy slump will continue, but they know what to expect from Mike Trout. The reigning American League MVP has belted four home runs in his last five games heading into the Saturday's doubleheader against the reeling Twins in Minnesota, which was necessitated after Friday's contest was rained out.

The San Francisco Giants can't afford too many more stumbles before they face the reality of being eliminated from the playoff race. San Francisco stands 8 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and nine games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second wild card entering Saturday's home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Washington Nationals have won five of six to cling to the fringes of their fading playoff picture. With the clock ticking on their season, the Nationals look to trim their sizable deficit in the National League East on Saturday when they play the third contest of a four-game series versus the visiting Miami Marlins.

The Boston Red Sox continue to give New York Yankees fans reasons to dislike their team. The Toronto Blue Jays, who are battling the Yankees for the top spot in the American League East, will try to take advantage of the Red Sox to pad their lead again on Saturday.

After keeping their playoff hopes alive with a late rally in the series opener, the Baltimore Orioles watched the Tampa Bay Rays return the favor 24 hours by erasing an early three-run deficit en route to an 8-6 victory. It was only the third defeat in 10 games for visiting Baltimore, which is 4 1/2 games out of the second wild card entering the third of a four-game series Saturday.

The Kansas City Royals have a sizable lead and are on their way to capturing the American League Central title, but their grasp on home-field advantage is a tenuous one. Losers of 10 of their last 14, the reeling Royals look to get back on track on Saturday when they play the second contest of their three-game series versus the host Detroit Tigers.

With 15 wins in their last 22 games, the Cleveland Indians have introduced themselves as a significant part of the postseason conversation. The Indians look to inch closer to the second wild-card spot in the American League on Saturday when they play the second contest of their three-game series versus the visiting Chicago White Sox.

The Houston Astros have not gotten the boost they expected from Scott Kazmir, though that is only partly the fault of the veteran left-hander. Kazmir will take on the team that traded him away when the Astros host the Oakland Athletics in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Angels aren’t sure how long Albert Pujols’ lengthy slump will continue, but they know what to expect from Mike Trout. The reigning American League MVP has belted four home runs in his last five games heading into the Saturday's doubleheader against the reeling Twins in Minnesota, which was necessitated after Friday's contest was rained out.

There are plenty of rookies residing on center stage as baseball’s pennant races hit the home stretch, but one of the better ones is putting together an outstanding debut campaign outside of the spotlight. The Philadelphia Phillies play the middle game of a three-game series Saturday at the Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia center fielder Odubel Herrera comes into the contest with a .297 average, 27 doubles and 14 stolen bases.

The Milwaukee Brewers are having the most success against the Cincinnati Reds they have enjoyed in a while, but not even a home game against them could end their skid last time out. The Brewers look to avoid a season-high tying eighth straight loss and guarantee themselves their first season series win over the Reds since 2006 on Saturday as they continue a three-game set in Milwaukee.

The Texas Rangers found it difficult to keep the momentum going and dropped the opener to the Seattle Mariners on Friday after a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros lifted them into the top spot in the American League West. The Rangers will try to regain that momentum when they host the Mariners in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado is finishing a standout season with a red-hot bat and looks to add to his National League-leading RBI total when the Rockies host the San Diego Padres on Saturday. Arenado, who has 112 RBIs and ranks second in the NL with 39 homers, went 3-for-4 with one RBI as Colorado notched a 7-4 victory in the opener of the three-game set.

Clayton Kershaw attempts to win his 10th consecutive decision when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Pittsburgh Pirates in Saturday's second contest of a three-game set. Kershaw has allowed one or fewer earned runs in 13 of his past 14 starts while flashing off the dominant form that has seen him win three National League Cy Young Awards.