June is when things start to get serious in MLB. Teams are positioning and a few big series can really impact the standings. Whether it’s a rivalry or a Wild Card battle, these are the 5 MLB series to watch:
5. Mets vs. Nationals: Boost the NL East Lead
When the Mets host the Nationals from June 12–14 at Citi Field, it’s a chance to take control of the NL East. The Mets are 44–24 and 24–8 at home and sweeping Washington could extend the lead and send a message to Philly and Atlanta. The Nationals are under .500 but never an easy opponent and could cut into the Mets’ lead with one or two wins.
4. Rays at Mets: Interleague Wake‑Up Call
Right after the Nationals, the Mets host the Rays for a 3-game interleague series at Citi Field from June 13–15. The Rays are 36–32 and in the Wild Card and chasing the Yankees in the AL East. The Mets are in 1st place in the NL East but this series still matters. A Mets sweep would solidify their position in the postseason; one or two wins for the Rays would give them momentum.
3. Mariners at Angels: AL Wild Card Standoff
The Mariners head to Anaheim for a big mid-June series with the Angels, both teams 33–34 and chasing an AL Wild Card. Seattle has been bad at home but good on the road and LA has won three in a row. Mike Trout has been huge since his return, hitting .476 over his last six games. Both teams are trying to get out of .500 and this series means a lot.
2. Tigers at Orioles: Central vs. East Power Play
Detroit’s mid-June trip to Baltimore is a showdown between the best team in the AL with an Orioles team trying to prove they still belong. The Tigers, 44–25 and with the best rotation in baseball right now, want to keep their momentum and tighten their grip on the Central. A Tigers sweep would keep them rolling but if Baltimore pulls off the upset, it could shift the AL and give their season a boost.
1. Yankees vs. Red Sox: Could Rewrite the AL East
It is a classic crucial late-June series in the Bronx between the Yankees and Red Sox — one of MLB’s greatest rivalries. New York leads the AL East at 41–25, +106. Boston is 34–36 after a rough May and is trying to get back in it. Pitching and hitting will be key as the Red Sox look for a spark and the Yankees try to stay in control.
