Pitching Matchups, Scenarios For Games with Playoff Implications on Sept. 26

As baseball charges into its final week of the regular season, there are several games and matchups with playoff implications. Here's what you need to know heading into Tuesday, Sept. 26:

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

1) Washington Nationals @ Baltimore Orioles

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR BALTIMORE: The Orioles are 2.5 games up in the American League East and are trying to inch closer to a division title.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Josiah Gray (8-12, 4.00 ERA, WAS) @ Kyle Bradish (11-7, 3.01 ERA, BAL)

2) New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR TORONTO: The Blue Jays are 1.5 games up on the Houston Astros for the second wild card spot. They are 3.0 up on Seattle, who is the only team that can possibly move into the playoffs.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Michael King (4-7, 2.66 ERA, NYY) @ Kevin Gausman (12-9, 3.29 ERA, TOR)

3) Tampa Bay Rays @ Boston Red Sox

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR TAMPA BAY: The Rays are in the first wild card position comfortably and currently trail the Orioles by 2.5 games in the AL East.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Zach Eflin (15-8, 3.44 ERA, TBR) @ Tanner Houck (5-9, 4.92 ERA, BOS)

4) Texas Rangers @ Los Angeles Angels

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR TEXAS: Texas has a 2.5 game lead on Houston for the American League West crown and is trying to inch closer to wrapping up the division title.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cody Bradford (4-2, 4.65 ERA, TEX) @ Reid Detmers (3-10, 4.64 ERA, LAA)

5) Houston Astros @ Seattle Mariners

WHAT'S AT STAKE: This game matters to both teams. Houston is trailing Texas by 2.5 games for the American League West lead and also leads Seattle by 1.5 game in the wild race. Seattle needs to win to move within a 0.5 game.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cristian Javier (9-4, 4.64 ERA, HOU) @ George Kirby (11-10, 3.58 ERA, SEA)

NATIONAL LEAGUE:

1) Cincinnati Reds @ Cleveland Guardians

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR CINCINNATI: The Reds trail in the wild card race by 2.5 games

PITCHING MATCHUP: Hunter Greene (4-6, 4.24 ERA, CIN) @ Lucas Giolito (8-14, 4.60 ERA, CLE)

2) Pittsburgh Pirates @ Philadelphia Phillies

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies have a firm grasp on the NL wild card race and currently lead by 5.0 games for the top spot.

PITCHING MATCHUP: TBD (PIT) @ Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.57 ERA, PHI)

3) Miami Marlins @ New York Mets

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR MIAMI: The Marlins are 1.0 game back of the third and final wild card spot in the National League

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braxton Garrett (9-6, 3.53 ERA, MIA) @ Joey Lucchesi (3-0, 2.88 ERA, NYM)

4) Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR CHICAGO: The Cubs are currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2nd/3rd wild card spot. Both teams are 1.0 games ahead of the Marlins.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Justin Steele (16-5, 3.00 ERA, CHC) @ Bryce Elder (12-4, 3.63 ERA, ATL)

5) Arizona Diamondbacks @ Chicago White Sox

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR ARIZONA: The Diamondbacks are currently tied with the Chicago Cubs for the 2nd/3rd wild card spot. Both teams are 1.0 games ahead of the Marlins.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Zach Davies (2-5, 6.81 ERA, ARZ) @ Jose Urena (0-6, 7.27 ERA, CWS)

6) St. Louis Cardinals @ Milwaukee Brewers

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR MILWAUKEE: The Brewers are 6.0 games up on the Cubs as they try to clinch the National League Central

PITCHING MATCHUP: Zack Thompson (5-7, 4.57 ERA, STL) @ Adrian Houser (7-4, 4.35 ERA, MIL)

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.