On deck: Brewers-Dodgers, pivotal AL Central series in spotlight

As the race for the Major League Baseball postseason continues to heat up, this week's spotlight shines on series in Los Angeles and Detroit.

Los Angeles Dodgers-Milwaukee Brewers becomes must-see TV

If you're ready for a taste of October baseball in August, make sure you tune in to a battle of National League titans beginning on Thursday night.

Milwaukee heads to Chavez Ravine for a four-game series that could be pivotal as the race for the NL's best record (and home-field advantage in the postseason) takes center stage when the Brewers and Dodgers meet at Dodger Stadium.

This four-game set will be a part of a key seven-game Southern California swing for the Brewers, who start Monday with MLB's best record at 74-44. Milwaukee faces the San Diego Padres at Petco Park for three games before heading to Los Angeles for a big four-game series.

How Milwaukee fares on the road trip could play a big role in postseason seeding, with the Brewers holding a 3.0-game lead over the Atlanta Braves starting the week. After Sunday's loss in Arizona, the Dodgers are now 4.0 games behind the Brewers in the NL standings and are just 3-8 in their last 11 games.

If the Dodgers had a preferred time for snapping out of their recent funk, the Brewers coming into town would be it.

Last stand for Detroit Tigers this week?

Perhaps it's strange to still be talking about the Tigers and the postseason after Detroit traded away pitchers Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize and catcher Jake Rogers. However, in a wide-open American League Central, the Tigers have a golden opportunity ahead of them this week.

After an off day on Monday, the Tigers welcome the Cleveland Guardians into the Motor City for three games. After that, the Chicago White Sox come to town for a three-game weekend series, giving the Tigers six games at home this week against teams they are battling in the division.

Detroit wrapped up a 7-2 Pacific Time Zone swing with an extra-inning win in San Francisco against the Giants on Sunday. It's clear the Tigers aren't waving the white flag, and that should be a red flag for the White Sox, Guardians or any other team that thought the Tigers were just going to roll over after the MLB trade deadline.

Just how tight is it in the AL Central? There are three teams within 3.5 games of division-leading Chicago, and that includes the Tigers and Guardians. 

Can one AL Central team finally find some separation this week? That question makes the week ahead in Detroit one to watch.