MLB pennant race: Four mid-week series that impact the standings

With about 40 games left in the regular season, baseball's postseason picture has gotten even murkier, as the wild card races grow tighter and the Cubs fail to pull away in the NL Central.

It's a crucial week for contenders, with some of the best teams in baseball facing off, including a rematch of the last year's ALDS and Washington making an inter-league trip to Houston.

Red Sox at Indians

Why it matters

Boston is closing the gap on Houston for AL home-field advantage, while the Indians are only 2 1/2 behind the Red Sox. With the Astros facing the Nationals this week, the four-game set in Cleveland is a great opportunity for either team to make a statement and get a leg up in the chase.

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Jay Bruce is batting .375 with three homers and 12 RBI in 11 games with the Indians, who are 8-3 in that span. The Red Sox throw three lefties in this series, including ace Chris Sale in Thursday's finale. Corey Kluber goes Wednesday and he has a 1.78 ERA with 35 strikeouts in four August starts.

Pitching matchups: 

• Monday – Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 3.97 ERA) vs. Mike Clevinger (6-5, 3.75 ERA)
• Tuesday – Doug Fister (2-6, 5.56 ERA) vs, Carlos Carrasco (12-5, 3.76 ERA)
• Wednesday – Drew Pomeranz (12-4, 3.31 ERA) vs. Corey Kluber (12-3, 2.67 ERA)
• Thursday – Chris Sale (14-5, 2.62 ERA) vs. Trevor Bauer (12-8, 4.50 ERA)
   

Nationals at Astros

Why it matters

Houston sputtered through the first two weeks of August and while the team has won four of six, the lead for best record in the AL is down to 4 1/2 games over the Red Sox. With more than a month left to play, the Astros need to rediscover their confidence and a home series against a fellow runaway division leader is a great opportunity to do so.

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For the Nationals, the season's final 40 games are a mere formality but ravaged by injuries, they they need to get their affairs in order. Keep an eye on Thursday starter Stephen Strasburg. He pitched well Saturday in his return from the disabled list, and Washington desperately needs the 29-year-old to be healthy for October. 

Pitching matchups:

• Tuesday – Tanner Roark (9-8, 4.70 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (10-5, 3.69 ERA)
• Wednesday – Edwin Jackson (4-2, 3.43 ERA) vs. Mike Fiers (7-8, 4.32 ERA)
• Thursday – Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 3.24 ERA) vs. Dallas Keuchel (11-2, 2.58 ERA)

Rockies at Royals

Why it matters

The Royals have lost 12 of 19 to start August and find themselves 1 1/2 games back of the second wild-card spot. It's not a big deficit, but Kansas City trails two teams, is tied with the Mariners and have the Rangers just a game behind. Kansas City has a 6.05 ERA this month –  worst in baseball – and will turn to Danny Duffy in the opener try to get things trending in the right direction.

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Colorado has slumped, but still holds the top NL wild-card spot as the Diamondbacks are also going through a rough patch. The team is under .500 on the road  – compared with 38-25 at Coors Field. This is a crucial series to set the tone as September nears. Fortunately for the Rockies, Carlos Gonzalez – in the midst of a dreadful season – is quietly coming on, batting .371 in his last 10 games.

Pitching matchups:

• Tuesday – Jon Gray (5-2, 4.74 ERA) vs. Danny Duffy (7-8, 3.82 ERA)
• Wednesday – Antonio Senzatela (10-4, 4.56 ERA) vs. Ian Kennedy (4-9, 5.06 ERA)
• Thursday – German Marquez (10-5, 4.54 ERA) vs. Jake Junis (5-2, 4.99 ERA)

Rangers at Angels

Why it matters

The division has long been out of sight, but both teams have fought into the wild card race. Los Angeles has won nine of 11 and is tied with the Twins for the second spot. Texas has plenty of teams to jump, but at 2 1/2 games back, the Rangers are within striking distance.

Pitching matchups:

• Monday – Cole Hamels (8-1, 3.48 ERA) vs. Tyler Skaggs (1-3, 3.63 ERA)
• Tuesday – Tyson Ross (3-2, 7.02 ERA) vs. Ricky Nolasco (6-2, 5.16 ERA)
• Wednesday – Andrew Cashner (7-9, 3.31 ERA) vs. Andrew Heaney (0-0, 9.00 ERA)

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