Examining the MLB's Big Series of the Week

It's been a pretty slow week in baseball thus far, but there are a few crucial series in store for us over the next four days.

With the races in every division separated by only a few games, these mid-July matches will likely end up as difference makers.

Brewers (56-43) vs. Cardinals (57-44) 

Milwaukee took game one of this series thanks to some late-inning heroics by underperformers Bill Hall and Rickie Weeks. They're going to need them to continue delivering to hold off the Cards, who have overcome pretty much every obstacle (injuries, no pitching, living in St. Louis) to craft a successful season.   With Sabathia taking the hill on Thursday, the Cardinals need to take tonight's game to avoid a crippling sweep.   

Mets (53-46) vs. Phillies (53-46) 

New York's resurgence over the past few weeks has put them right back in the thick of things. They're poised to re-claim the first-place position forecasted for them in Spring Training. The Phillies, who jumped out of the gate, only to hit a June lull, are trying to stave off competitors while they work out a deal to acquire more pitching.   The pitching matchups seem to heavily favor NY, with both Joe Blanton and Brett Myers (3-9 5.84) going for the Phils. It's impossible to predict what the up-and-down Mets will do, however, as the stopgap replacements will have to fall back down to earth eventually.  

Cubs (58-41) vs. Marlins (52-47) 

Usually, this would be just another run-of-the-mill series for the Cubs, but with the way Florida has stuck around all season, they're always dangerous. Florida has overachieved this whole year, relying on the "hit it high and hope it's out" strategy, something that could be effective against Carlos Zambrano.   The Cubbies have a bit too much talent, however, and will be too motivated to widen the gap in the Central to lose he series.  

Yankees (54-45) vs. Red Sox (58-43) 

In what has become standard operating procedure for the Yanks, their post-All-Star winning streak has them just four-and-a-half out of first, ready to make up the rest in a weekend series with Boston.   The Sox have better overall pitching, and will benefit from the absences of Posada and Matsui. To have a chance at making up ground, New York needs a big series from both Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez.