MLB Top 5 Must-Watch Series: Exciting matchups post All-Star Game break, featuring Red Sox vs. Dodgers and more for Week 17

As the 2024 MLB All-Star break draws to a close, all 30 clubs will be back in action on Friday. With less than a fortnight between now and the July 30 trade deadline, many in the league will be entering a playoff mindset.

While all of the matchups scheduled around MLB for the week ahead are exciting in their own way, some stand above the rest. Here's a closer look at the top five MLB matchups that fans can look forward to in Week 17.

Top 5 MLB matchups for Week 17

#1. Kansas City Royals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

In the two weeks preceding the All-Star break, Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. was swinging one of MLB's hottest bats. A .405/.400/.703 hitter since July 1, Witt Jr. and Co. will welcome the D-Backs for a weekend series.

Still boasting one of the best rotations in the league, the Royals will be two games back of the final AL Wild Card spot when play resumes on Friday. Since 2020, the Royals are 2-5 in seven games against Arizona.

#2. Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros

On June 1, the Houston Astros were 6.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Since then, Houston has gone 25-13, closing the gap to just one game.

In addition to having wide-ranging implications for the AL West, this series will also see one of MLB's best pitching teams pitted against one of the best hitting clubs. With a team average of .262, Houston touts the best average in MLB, while Seattle's .219 figure is the worst. However, Mariners pitchers have tossed to a 2.69 ERA at home, better than any other team in baseball.

#3. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox will play at Dodger Stadium for the first time since 2016 when their series against the Dodgers commences on Friday night. With a 9-3 record since July 1, the Red Sox now sit in the last AL Wild Card spot.

With ace Tyler Glasnow on the IL, the Dodgers will need to rely more on their pitching depth. Even with Mookie Betts on the IL, it looks like Shohei Ohtani and Co. are on the cusp of running away with the NL West title.

#4. Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies will visit PNC Park this weekend for the second cross-state showdown against the Pittsburgh Pirates of the season. On account of their 62-34 record, the Phillies remain MLB's top club and tout the second-best team ERA so far this season.

Although the Phillies took two of three in the last meeting in April, the Pirates are hot. Entering the All-Star break on a four-game winning streak, it is likely that the Phillies will get their first look at rookie All-Star Paul Skenes.

#5. Cleveland Guardians vs. San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres will fly to Cleveland on Friday for a three-game weekend set against the Guardians.

Bullpen consistency has made Cleveland a truly special team to watch. Anchored by star closer Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians' 2.62 bullpen ERA leads the league by a significant margin.

However, the fact that the Padres own an MLB-best .895 OPS after the seventh inning promises to make this inter-league clash an entertaining one.