MLB Weekend Matchups 9/8-9/9: Dodgers @ Rockies

**Moderator**

Notable Major League Baseball Matchups 8-9 September 2018 - By Chris Watford for NoLuckNeeded.com

With 162 games in a season it really comes down to the last few matchups for some teams. And with the NL Wild Card race coming to an end in the upcoming weeks, it’s do or die time. The Dodgers ended their series against the Diamondbacks last week with a walkoff homerun to put them ahead .5 games for the Wild Card. While the Wild Card race isn’t as close as it was last week, there’s still four teams fighting for that single-game playoff matchup. Let’s take a look at which teams have a shot at keeping their playoff dreams alive this weekend.

Philadelphia Phillies (73-66) @ New York Mets (63-76) 9/8

As of 9/5 the Phillies are sitting a mere 4.5 games behind the Cardinals and the Brewers for a chance at the NL Wild Card spot and if they want to extend their season, they need to perform against the Mets this weekend. Even though the Phillies are 10 games up on the Mets this year, they’ve struggled to win games against them - going 5-8. Zach Eflin is expected to throw the first pitch for the Phillies, opposite of Noah Syndergaard. Eflin hasn’t been too shabby for the Phillies this year, going 9-6 with a 4.05 ERA. Noah Syndergaard on the other hand, has been a monster with a 10-3 record and a 3.33 ERA. Things are going to be a little bit tricker for the Phillies than they would like this weekend. Catch the first pitch this Saturday at 7:10 PM ET on SNY or NSPA.

Atlanta Braves (76-63) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (75-64) 9/8

Two teams with near identical records, the Braves are sitting atop their conference while the Diamondbacks have their eyes set on the NL Wild Card: only 2.5 games behind. While these two teams have only run into each other 3 times this year the Diamondbacks boast the series win against the Braves. Julio Teheran is expected to pitch for Atlanta opposite of Clay Buchholz. Teheran has been pretty average this year for the Braves this year, with a record of 9-7 and a 4.05 ERA. Teheran threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Dbacks earlier this year. With a 7-2 record and a 2.05 ERA, Clay Buchholz has been astonishing for the Diamondbacks this year. This series is a good kickstarter for the Diamondbacks to make it to the playoffs this year. Watch the first pitch on FSSO or FSAZ this Saturday at 8:10 PM ET.

LA Dodgers (76-64) @ Colorado Rockies (77-62) 9/9

The Rockies are sitting on a nice four game win streak and the Dodgers are 7-3 in their last ten. This game is only going to get better due to the fact that the Dodgers are sitting only two games back from the Wild Card spot. But the Dodgers might be in a fight for their life against the Rockies with word that their closer, Kenley Jansen, is going to be missing this pivotal series. While the Dodgers hold a 7-6 record against the Rockies this year, this series is going to be one of the most important matchups the Dodgers face in the upcoming weeks. Alex Wood is expected to start for LA, opposite of Tyler Anderson. Wood has been playing sensational baseball over the past two months, boasting a record of 7-1 since June 16th and an ERA of 2.39. Anderson is sitting with a losing record of 6-7 and a 4.80 ERA. See if the Dodgers can keep their postseason dreams alive this Sunday on SNLA or ATRM at 3:10 PM ET.

Bet on the Chicago Cubs at Intertops Sports Betting

**Moderator**

The Rockies and Dodgers should be a good series!