MLB Top 5 Must-Watch Series in Week 16 ft. Dodgers vs Phillies & more

It's hard to believe that fifteen weeks of MLB action have already transpired in 2024. Already, fans have been treated to some truly special - as well as some unexpected - performances.

Thankfully, the action is not stopping anytime soon. The upcoming week has some truly enthralling MLB matchups on offer. Today, we will be looking at some of the top series to keep your eye on for the week ahead.

Top 5 Must-Watch MLB Series in Week 15

Mariners vs Padres

The Seattle Mariners will stop by Petco Park in San Diego for a two-game set before their weekend series in Anaheim. Despite losing a weekend series to the Jays at home, the Mariners retain a two-game lead over the Astros in the AL West.

The Friars will get to see Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller, who have been two of Seattle's best arms this season. Sporting a 2.91 ERA, Gilbert remains his team's best starter and touts a 1.11 ERA in four career games against San Diego.

"Logan Gilbert put the finishing touches on an excellent June: 1.51 ERA 35.2 IP 31 K 1 BB" - Gary Hill Jr.

Yankees vs Rays

Although things still look calm on the surface, it will not be long before alarm bells start ringing if the New York Yankees cannot turn things around. Now 3-7 over their past ten, the Yankees will kick off a three-game set in Tampa on Tuesday. In six meetings this season, the Bronx Bombers are 4-2 against their divisional foes.

"Rafael Devers has done it again! He wants the ketchup" - MLB

Coming off a series loss to the Red Sox, New York will play in Tampa without Gleyber Torres, Anthony Rizzo, or Giancarlo Stanton. Now surpassed by the O's in the AL East, the Yankees know that this is a must-win series against a lagging divisional counterpart.

Orioles vs Cubs

Tuesday will also mark the opener of a three-game series between the O's and Chicago Cubs at Camden Yards. The 21 home runs launched by Baltimore over the past two weeks lead MLB, however, the Cubs have been pitching very well.

Now with a 3.00 team ERA over their past six games, Chicago has spun MLB's third-lowest runs figure this week. So far, it looks as though this series will be a showdown between excellent hitting and lights-out pitching.

Braves vs Diamondbacks

Chris Sale, with his MLB-best 11 wins, will get the ball on Monday for the Braves as they commence a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Over the past fortnight, the Braves' 2.50 ERA figure is the best in baseball, while Arizona's figure is close to the bottom.

"Chris Sale averages 7.9 strikeouts per start for his career, 2nd-most in MLB history. Behind only Randy Johnson (8.0)" - Hembo

However, Arizona has been swinging hot bats. Christian Walker, Ketel Marte, Eugenio Suarez, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. have all hit over .300 over the past two weeks. In their past six games, Arizona is 4-2, outscoring the Dodgers and Padres by a combined 50-28.

Phillies vs Dodgers

Perhaps the most anticipated MLB series of the upcoming week belongs to the Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.

With a starting ERA of 3.20, the Phillies' rotation has worked better than any other in MLB, including the Dodgers, whose rotation has performed marginally poorer. However, both teams have struggled to hit over the past week. Each 5-5 in their last ten, LA's average is .245 over the past week, while the Phillies tout a .242 figure in the same time period.