Seeking to chase down the Dodgers in the National League West, the Padres made a host of major moves at the 2025 Trade Deadline. This weekend, the two division rivals, who faced off in last year’s NLDS, will meet at Dodger Stadium for a three-game set that promises to be a treat.
In addition to the clash of California clubs, this week’s MLB schedule includes two intriguing Interleague matchups, a collision of American League contenders and an NL Central rivalry set.
Here are five series to watch this week.
Pirates at Brewers: 3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: The Brewers have had the edge so far in the season series between these NL Central rivals, but it’s been close. Milwaukee has won four of its seven games against Pittsburgh in 2025, most recently taking two of three at home in June. Back in May, the two clubs split a four-game series at PNC Park with each of the final three games decided by one run, including a Pirates win on a walk-off wild pitch.
Storyline: Will the scorching Brewers keep it going against a division foe on a roll? The Pirates, who enter Monday with a 12-7 record in their past 19 games, are playing well, but it won’t be easy for them to halt Milwaukee’s momentum. The Brewers have played incredible baseball for months, and they’re riding a nine-game winning streak after Sunday’s walk-off win over the Mets. With the best record in the Majors, Milwaukee has had an answer for pretty much every team it has faced. Can the Pirates change that?
Watch out for: Paul Skenes. The NL Cy Young Award favorite, who has kept opponents scoreless in five of his past seven starts, is lined up to pitch Tuesday at American Family Field. With a 1.94 ERA to lead all qualifying pitchers, Skenes is in the midst of another stellar season. It should be fun to watch the Pirates phenom take on a Brewers lineup that has found another gear thanks to contact, small ball and … “the power of friendship“?
Red Sox at Astros: 3 games (Monday-Wednesday)
Head-to-head: These two clubs just met from Aug. 1-3 at Fenway Park, with the Red Sox capturing a three-game sweep over their AL rivals. Rookie Roman Anthony provided the walk-off hit in the 10th inning of the series opener, and Boston won the next two games in more convincing fashion. This is the second and final series between the Red Sox and Astros … until perhaps the postseason.
Storyline: Alex Bregman makes his return to Houston. Sure, Bregman just played against the Astros for the first time in his career earlier this month, but his homecoming should make things extra special. Part of Houston’s World Series-winning 2017 and 2022 teams, the third baseman had quite the nine-year tenure with the Astros before signing a three-year deal with the Red Sox in free agency. The two teams enter this series separated by just 1 1/2 games in the standings, so it’s more than just Bregman’s homecoming — it’s a key clash as it relates to the AL postseason picture.
Watch out for: Trevor Story. The Red Sox shortstop launched a two-run homer in the middle game of Boston’s three-game sweep, so the Astros are already familiar with the damage he can do. Story, who is 11-for-33 (.333) at the plate in August with a .906 OPS, has rebounded over the past two months after slumping in May and early June. One of many dangerous hitters in the Red Sox lineup, Story has been a valuable bat in the heart of Boston’s order.
Cubs at Blue Jays: 3 games (Tuesday-Thursday)
Head-to-head: This is the only time the Cubs and Blue Jays will face off this season, but their 2024 matchup at Wrigley Field was definitely memorable. In the first game, the Blue Jays tied things up on George Springer‘s two-out, two-run triple in the ninth before Seiya Suzuki walked it off for the Cubs in the 10th. After a 3-2 Cubs win in the middle game, the Blue Jays won a 1-0 thriller in the finale.
Storyline: Hope you like offense. This Interleague matchup at Rogers Centre will feature two of MLB’s best hitting clubs, including a Blue Jays team averaging a whopping 6.52 runs per game since the All-Star break. The Cubs offense has cooled a bit after a red-hot start, but any lineup featuring Suzuki, Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch is a dangerous one. With Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk on the other side, it could be a high-scoring affair in Toronto.
Mariners at Mets: 3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: The Mets were no match for the Mariners in August 2024, the last time the two teams met. Seattle came away from a three-game set at T-Mobile Park with a resounding sweep, winning by scores of 6-0, 4-0 and 12-1. In the all-time series between the two clubs, the Mariners hold a 16-8 lead, but the Mets managed to win two of three the last time they hosted the matchup in 2023.
Watch out for: Josh Naylor — and his sudden speed. Acquired from the D-backs on July 24, Seattle’s new first baseman has been a surprising threat on the basepaths ever since. He has stolen 10 bases on 10 attempts in just 14 games with the Mariners, giving him 21 on the year (Naylor’s previous career-high in steals was 10 with the Guardians in 2023). Naylor has been picking his spots nicely since joining the Mariners, and he’s making opposing pitchers and catchers pay.
Padres at Dodgers: 3 games (Friday-Sunday)
Head-to-head: The Dodgers have gotten the better of their NL West foes so far in 2025, winning both series against the Padres. They took two of three from June 9-11 in San Diego, then won the first three games of a four-game series from June 16-19 at Dodger Stadium. The Padres have actually outscored the Dodgers 37-35 head to head, but much of that stems from an 11-1 blowout at Petco Park. After winning last year’s NLDS in five games, the defending champs have held onto bragging rights, at least for now.
Watch out for: Freddie Freeman. The veteran first baseman’s power dipped for a while this season — he hit just one home run between May 12 and July 29 — but Freeman has four homers in 10 games since and is 13-for-33 (.394) at the plate in August. With Shohei Ohtani staying scorching hot and Mookie Betts showing signs of figuring it out, a resurgence from Freeman works out quite well for a potent Dodgers lineup.
