Sports

Subway to Freeway: MLB Rivals Bring The Heat

By Adam Thompson Lindys Sports

Updated May 15, 2026 3:53 PM

It's Rivalry Weekend in Major League Baseball. So, of course, we're getting Yankees vs. Mets, and Cubs vs. White Sox, and Angels vs. Dodgers. But we're getting a lot more than that - for better and for worse.

Here's a ranking of all 15 Rivalry Weekend matchups, from best to worst. Hate mail will mostly be left unanswered, unless it's funny.

Yes, Please

1. Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox

Who would have thunk it: The Windy City matchup features the best combined record of the two teams of any Rivalry Weekend set.

2. Boston Red Sox at Atlanta Braves

MLB's top-ranked offense hosts the historic Red Sox with marquee pitching matchups the first two days. Boston's hitting has (1.6 rpg this week) not kept up with its pitching (2.0 allowed).

3. New York Yankees at New York Mets

The Subway Series has finished in a draw in three of the last four seasons. This edition begins with sub-2 ERA pitchers in Cam Schlittler vs. Clay Holmes.

4. Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates

Keystone State rivals are both trending in the right direction. The Philles' potentially potent offense gets a crack at Paul Skenes on Sunday.

Yeah, Worth Tuning In

5. Cincinnati Reds at Cleveland Guardians

The battle for the Ohio Cup features teams with winning records. Reds manager Terry Francona won the traveling trophy every year from 2015-23 when he was with Cleveland, then took it with Cincy last year.

arena photography — Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

6. Toronto Blue Jays at Detroit Tigers

It's a rematch from the American League Playoff Series won by the Blue Jays, en route to a World Series berth. Each club has postseason aspirations again, but they're both under .500. Could be a key series down the road.

7. Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels

Oddly enough, the Angels have won seven straight against their SoCal rivals. Shohei Ohtani has gotten his, though, with five homers against his former team in 10 games.

8. San Diego Padres at Seattle Mariners

The Padres are sticking close to the Dodgers and are firmly in the National League playoff conversation. The Mariners have rebounded from a slower-than-expected start, taking three of four over Houston but will be without Cal Raleigh (IL).

We'll See

9. Kansas City Royals at St. Louis Cardinals

The I-70 Series has been dominated by the Cardinals, who hold a 79-55 advantage. The Royals just got swept by the White Sox and are 6-15 on the road.

10. Milwaukee Brewers at Minnesota Twins

Bragging rights between the states are important. In 523 career games, Minnesota holds the edge just 257-246.

11. Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have found major success when favored, a whopping 16-5, including 10-3 at homer. They're likely to be favored all weekend here against their Sunshine State counterparts.

Do Something Outside

12. Texas Rangers at Houston Astros

All-time, these Lonestar State teams are even through 146 games. But Houston hasn't lost the season series in 2016.

13. Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals

The Nats have won five of the last six meetings with the O's in their Beltway Series.

14. San Francisco Giants at Athletics

Another series tied through 154 games, but the Giants have won five of six against their former Bay Area rivals.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies

The Rockies have won three straight over the D'backs but have lost four of five overall. Arizona was just part of three straight one-run games at Texas, losing two of them.

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 3:33 PM.