And here we go. I think most of you can guess what No.1 on the list of this weekend’s series preview will be. If rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin’s debut with the Buccos doesn’t take the top spot on intrigue alone, then maybe I’m blind to what the purpose of this entire preview is supposed to be. We also have two first-place teams battling in the Bronx, and an interleague matchup between a pair of franchises expected to do well, despite slow starts.
Let’s get to this weekend’s top five series.
No. 1: Orioles (3-3) at Pirates (3-3)
Series length: Three games (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Whatever rumors you choose to believe regarding why there was a delayed call-up of baseball’s top prospect shouldn’t matter today. Personally, I choose to go with ESPN reporter Buster Olney’s rumor that Pittsburgh and Griffin are in long-term contract discussions in the range of a nine-year/$140 million deal. If that’s true, then Pirates fans will have plenty to celebrate in the near future, and maybe as early as Friday afternoon’s home opener scheduled for 4:12 ET. The bottom line is that Griffin is here now. That’s all that matters going forward.
Hype for a hitting prospect’s debut hasn’t been this high since probably Bryce Harper’s in 2012. If I’m missing one, let me know. The Orioles are expected to start pitchers Kyle Bradish on Friday, Shane Baz on Saturday, and 12-year veteran Chris Bassitt in the series finale on Sunday. That’s a great test for the 19-year-old Griffin.
Whatever plans all of you have today, at the very least, I hope everyone finds a moment to watch Griffin’s first at-bat. He’ll be playing shortstop and is scheduled to hit seventh in the order.
No. 2: Marlins (5-1) at Yankees (5-1)
Series length: Three games (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
I’m not sure how often the Miami Marlins will make the top-five series to watch list this season. All I know for sure is that on April 3, 2026, they are tied with Milwaukee and their opponent tonight, the New York Yankees, for the best record in MLB at 5-1. Sure, they swept last year’s worst National League team (Colorado Rockies) and then won two of three against 2025’s worst team in baseball (Chicago White Sox) earlier this week. They haven’t exactly had a challenging schedule up to this point. However, Miami hasn’t seen an at-bat from their top hitter from ’25, Kyle Stowers (hammy strain), and yet leads MLB with a .290 team batting average and a league-best .847 OPS entering Friday. Go figure. Again, maybe their opponents had something to do with that, but who’s complaining? The Fish have found their hitting stride early on.
This weekend should be a legit challenge for Miami as they begin a three-game series in New York. The Yankees will not see baseball’s hottest starting pitcher on the young season, Sandy Alcantara, which means Friday’s starter for the Marlins, Eury Perez, will need to keep runs off the board if his team has any hopes of repeating last year’s three-game sweep of the Yankees in the only meeting they had. The Yanks are expected to send Max Fried to the bump in the series finale on Sunday (2-0 record in two starts, and no runs allowed over 13 1/3 innings).
No. 3: Brewers (5-1) at Royals (3-3)
Series length: Three games (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
I’m sticking with the 5-1 theme for No. 3 on the list. The Milwaukee Brewers are off to another nice start, and if they win the NL Central in ’26, then I’m never doubting this franchise again. With series wins at home over the White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, respectively, the Brew Crew now begins a six-game road trip starting in Kansas City tonight. The Royals are coming off a 2-1 series victory over the Twins. Both squads have high expectations this year, and I believe this is the best mid-market matchup of the weekend.
The last time these teams met was just over a year ago in early April. The Brewers won two of three at home. First pitch on Friday is at 7:45 p.m. ET. The expected pitching matchup: MIL-Chad Patrick (1 GS, 0-0, 2.08 ERA) versus KC-Luinder Avila (season debut).
No. 4: Padres (2-4) at Red Sox (1-5)
Series length: Three games (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
It’s not the start either club had in mind. Both franchises have credible playoff hopes, but so far this year, they rank in the lower third in starting pitcher ERA and batting average. Boston starters have a 5.22 earned run average (26th in MLB), while San Diego ranks 23rd with 4.50 ERA. Offensively, neither team is hitting over .210. The Red Sox are batting .208, while the Padres rank 26th at .202. It’s been ugly on both sides.
My gut says that runs are going to be scored at a relatively high rate this weekend as Boston looks to end its five-game losing streak in Friday’s home opener. These teams have too many good hitters to take seriously any of the early-season offensive woes. What better location than Fenway Park to find your swing again (other than Colorado, of course)?
No. 5: Atlanta (5-2) at Diamondbacks (3-4)
Series length: Four games (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) *Atlanta won Thursday’s contest, 17-2
So far, so good for Atlanta offensively. After last night’s 15-run victory in the opener, 2025’s fourth-place finisher in the NL East ranks in the top five in just about every major offensive category. It’s only been a week of games, but considering the fact that this franchise was still winless after seven contests last year, there’s definitely reason to feel optimistic if you’re an Atlanta fan right now. If the bats continue to swing well, and Spencer Strider returns soon to give this club some more depth in its starting rotation, then everything should be fine.
As for Arizona, the jury is still out. They’ve got some offensive talent. Their ace Zac Gallen looked very good in his latest start on Wednesday versus the Tigers (W, 6 IP, 0 ER). However, at 3-4 in the NL West and with a nine-game road trip coming up after this home series with Atlanta that includes three contests in New York with the Mets, three in Philadelphia, and ending with a trio of games at Baltimore, I’m going to wait to pass judgment on the D’backs until they get through that gauntlet of a schedule. Given what’s coming up beginning on Tuesday at Citi Field, the next three games of this series could be huge for Arizona’s 2026 outlook.
Missed the top five
Mets (3-4) at Giants (3-4): Four games *Giants won Thursday’s opener, 7-2
Blue Jays (4-2) at White Sox (1-5): Three games
Dodgers (4-2) at Nationals (3-0): Three games
Cardinals (4-2) at Tigers (2-4): Three games
Reds (3-3) at Rangers (4-2): Three games
Cubs (3-3) at Guardians (4-3): Three games
Rays (2-4) at Twins (2-4): Three games
Phillies (3-3) at Rockies (2-4): Three games
Mariners (3-4) at Angels (3-4): Three games
Astros (5-2) at A’s (1-5) Three games
