MLB Playoff Picture 2023: Astros vs. Mariners and Most Pivotal Series Remaining | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

September 29-October 1

The Houston-Arizona series at Chase Field could affect the wild-card races in both leagues.

Houston's position will be determined by its games on Tuesday and Wednesday in Seattle.

The Astros come into Tuesday with a 1.5-game edge on the Mariners in the wild-card race, and they are 1.5 games behind the Blue Jays for the second wild-card position.

The No. 2 wild-card spot in the AL comes with a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays, while the No. 3 wild-card position lands a team in a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins.

Houston would probably prefer to face Minnesota in a best-of-three road set, but getting into the postseason is its first goal.

Arizona carries a similar motivation into this week, as it is tied with the Chicago Cubs for the second wild-card spot in the NL.

The Diamondbacks are expected to sweep the Chicago White Sox from Tuesday to Thursday to set up a potential clinching situation at home this weekend.

Winning those games could be more difficult than expected since the Diamondbacks lost two of three to the New York Yankees in their last series.

Arizona has Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly in line to pitch the first two games against Houston, who will wait until Sunday to throw Verlander again.

Arizona will have the pitching edge on Friday and Saturday, and that could help it stay ahead of the Cubs, Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds.

The DBacks need to at least finish on the same record as the Cubs since they own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Arizona may be ahead of the Cubs on record since the NL Central side finishes with Atlanta and Milwaukee.