The Week Ahead: The sluggish Nationals face a tough roadtrip
With the season winding down, The Week Ahead will look at the major baseball storylines down the stretch. We’ll point out the big series of the week, great upcoming pitching duels and players to watch.
THE NATIONALS HEAD WEST
The Nationals have found themselves in trouble as of late. The club hasn’t played particularly well, and it’s come at an awful time. The surging Mets have opened up a 1.5 game lead in the NL East. This week could be a make-or-break one for Washington. The club begins a west coast road trip, taking on both the Giants and Dodgers, two teams with playoff aspirations. If the Nationals want to remain in the hunt for the division crown, they are going to need to perform against two of the better NL franchises this week. Otherwise, the Mets could really open up a nice lead in the East. (Chris Cwik)
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MUST-SEE PITCHING MATCHUP: COLE VS. WACHA
The best pitching matchup of the week involves two of the most exciting young arms in the game, as Gerrit Cole of the Pittsburgh Pirates meets Michael Wacha of the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Cole (14-5, 2.39 ERA) and Wacha (13-4, 2.92) are both 24 and have been thrust into ace positions this year. For the Cardinals, the injury to Adam Wainwright demanded that Wacha step up and he has. Cole, meanwhile, took the step forward most expected of him this season. Beyond those two, the Pirates and Cards should be a strong series, as they’re two of the best teams in baseball, they just happen to play in the same division, making the Pirates a second-place team when they’d be in first in four other divisions in MLB. For the Pirates, it’s a good chance to make up their five-game deficit in the division. (Mike Oz)
AL EAST UP FOR GRABS
For the second straight week, the Blue Jays and Yankees will square off. Toronto dominated the Yankees in New York, sweeping the division-leading squad. Now, the Yankees will be looking for revenge in Canada. The Blue Jays actually have a three-game series against Oakland before New York comes to town, but all eyes are going to be on the Yankees’ series. The AL East isn’t going to be decided this week, but the matchup could propel one club to a nice lead in the division. (Chris Cwik)
THE CUBS LOOK TO STAY HOT
The Chicago Cubs have won four in a row heading into this week, having beat up on the same San Francisco Giants that trail them in the wild-card standings. Things seem in the Cubs’ advantage this week too. They’ll play the last-place Milwaukee Brewers at home and then go “on the road” to face the disappointing Chicago White Sox. If they keep it up, the eight-and-a-half-back Cubs might be able to thrust themselves into the NL Central hunt. (Mike Oz)
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UTLEY IS AVAILABLE
Chase Utley was reportedly put on waivers at some point during the weekend, and could find himself claimed, and possibly traded, this week. The 36-year-old hasn’t been all that productive this season, hitting just .189 over 259 plate appearances, but he’s battled bad luck and injuries most of the year. If healthy, it’s possible he could be a boost for a contending club (like the Giants or Cubs) down the stretch. Both of those clubs have been linked to Utley in the past few weeks, but it’s unclear whether he would accept a deal. Utley has reportedly told the Phillies he’ll invoke his no-trade clause if claimed, so that could be an issue. (Chris Cwik)
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