The week features a challenging lineup of games, and several of them have the potential to shake things up in some highly debated divisions. There are five series in particular that should be on your radar for the week of June 12, showcasing three intra-divisional rivalries, a highly anticipated matchup between two of the most dominant players in baseball and the introduction of the 2023 Subway Series.
Rangers welcome back Angelinos
In 2023, the Texas Rangers have dominated their opponents in the American League West and sit proudly in first place. They have been victorious in all of their games thus far, with an impressive 14-5 record. One noteworthy battle took place in May when they faced the Los Angeles Angelinos. Despite a valiant effort by the Angelinos, the Rangers emerged triumphant in two of three games, leaving no doubt about their superiority with a score of 30-14. It is worth noting that Corey Seager and Marcus Semien played pivotal roles in leading the Rangers to this undefeated streak.
Returning from the injured list in early May, Sanger's performance has been exceptional, as he connected for six home runs and produced 29 RBIs with a .348 average. Meanwhile, Semien had a rather disappointing season in his first year with the Rangers. However, he has shown remarkable stability in the leadoff spot in 2023, ranking fifth in hits and fourth for baseball in hits, racking up 79 hits and 51 RBIs.
Jose Adolis with the clutch. 👀 pic.twitter.com/lzkm2xsm1D
- Texas Rangers (@losrangers) June 10, 2023
Phillies and Rattlers take the field
In the 2022 season, the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Rattlers achieved the same number of wins in their head-to-head meetings. However, their previous meetings suggest a consistent competitive dynamic between the two teams. While the Phillies narrowly avoided a loss to the D-backs last month, they have not secured a win against them since 2015.
In this showdown, Trea Turner and Corbin Carroll, considered among the most exciting players in baseball, will face off. Blinking might cause you to overlook him. Ranked third and fourth in the MLB for sprint speed, you're probably already familiar with Turner and his smooth movements in the outfield. However, you may not yet have witnessed the rookie Carroll, who has the most home runs (13) and the entire set (19) for his team.
Yankees and Mets rekindle their rivalry
Despite the New York Yankees' historical dominance over the New York Mets, with an all-time winning percentage of .565, in recent years the teams have been evenly matched, with a streak split four times in the last five seasons (2018-20, 22). Unfortunately, due to injuries to Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso, both teams may not be able to show their full strength during draft season.
When it comes to hitting home runs, keep an eye on Mets newcomer Francisco Alvarez. He has already hit 12 home runs in 43 games, averaging a home run every 11.67 at-bats. That puts him fourth among players with more than 100 at-bats this season, behind only Judge (9.2), Alonso (10.4) and Max Muncy (11.61).
