On deck: Yankees-White Sox, Red Sox-Dodgers, Cubs-Cardinals are pivotal series

The Chicago White Sox didn't look like a postseason threat when they invaded the Bronx to play the New York Yankees in mid-June. Will we see something different this week in a South Side rematch?

Chicago White Sox-New York Yankees preview

New York took two of three games from the White Sox at Yankee Stadium in mid-June, outscoring Chicago 23-12 in the process. Now the White Sox get a chance to potentially exact some revenge, hosting the Yankees for four games beginning on Monday.

The series comes at a key time for both teams. The Yankees are looking to keep within striking distance of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East while the White Sox are looking to hold on to the top spot in the AL Central, entering Monday with a 2.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians.

Key to watch: New York will open the series with Max Fried, Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler on the mound. Chicago is 32-19 at home this season, the best home mark in the AL, so can the White Sox break through against that talented trio?

Boston Red Sox-Los Angeles Dodgers preview

There's been no hotter team in baseball in recent weeks than the Red Sox (17-2 in their last 19 games), but can that roll keep going when facing the two-time defending World champions at Chavez Ravine?

The three games against the Dodgers beginning on Friday are the last part of a California swing for the Red Sox, who start the road trip with four games in Sacramento against the Athletics. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will wrap a six-game homestand with the Red Sox after facing the Seattle Mariners for the first three games.

While the Dodgers are battling the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the National League, it could be argued that this series will be more telling for the Red Sox than Los Angeles. Entering Monday 7.5 games behind the Rays in the AL East but holding on to a Wild Card spot, Boston needs to keep the momentum going on its California adventure.

Key to watch: Boston is just 14-16 against NL teams this year while the Dodgers have the best home mark in the NL at 31-19. Boston swept the Angels in Anaheim in early July, so can the Red Sox keep their SoCal momentum going?

Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals preview

Finally, the continuation of an NL Central rivalry between the Cubs and Cardinals in St. Louis beginning on Monday could be a fork in the road for the fading Cardinals.

St. Louis is 3-7 in its last 10 games and has dropped to 13.0 games behind Milwaukee in the division. Perhaps more importantly, the Cardinals are now 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

A four-game series between the Cubs and Cardinals will either be a chance for Chicago to bury its rival or give St. Louis life. 

Key to watch: St. Louis has a 4-2 advantage in head-to-head games against the Cubs so far this season. However, the Cardinals are 27-29 in St. Louis this season. Will the Cubs keep the home-field disadvantage going in St. Louis?