New York Yankees OF Aaron Judge. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
There are some very important MLB series this weekend that could determine the whole season for a number of clubs.
There is less than a month remaining in the MLB season and more than half of the league is still in the playoff hunt. Sixteen of the 30 MLB teams are in a spot to make the postseason or are within five games of a playoff spot.
This weekend, there are three series between teams that will have a direct correlation on who will make the playoffs and/or the playoff seeding. Here are those three storylines that could change everything in the sport.
3 weekend storylines that could change the MLB playoff picture
1) Rays vs. Yankees could determine the AL East
For the second consecutive weekend, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays will be facing each other but this time, they are facing each other in New York.
On July 9, the Yankees had a 15.5-game lead on the Rays for the AL East title but now, the Yankees only have a 4.5-game lead and only a three-game advantage in the loss column. Last weekend, the Rays took two of three against the Yankees but on the season, they are only 7-9 against them.
If the Rays win two of three or sweep the series, the Yankees will be reeling heading into Boston next week where they will be facing the Red Sox. The Rays will face the Blue Jays next week with five games in four days in what will be another huge series. Winning at least games in the series will be crucial for the Rays as a result.