Best MLB games to watch tonight

Wednesday, August 26 · updated every minute

14 MLB games today, ranked by what's actually worth watching. Here's the MLB lineup.

  1. #1 · MLBImportance 74/100
    7:15 PM ET·MLB.TV

    Dodgers at Braves

    Dodgers80-52
    Braves77-55

    The Dodgers at the Braves with postseason position on the line: 80-52 against 77-55, 3 games between them. The Braves have won four of their last 10. They have won 4 straight in this matchup.

  2. #2 · MLBImportance 61/100
    7:05 PM ET·ESPN Unlmtd

    Astros at Yankees

    Astros66-66
    Yankees74-57

    The Yankees and the Astros are chasing the last wild card, 8.5 games apart — this one counts twice. The Yankees are 74-57, the Astros 66-66. The Astros have won 3 straight in this matchup.

  3. #3 · MLBImportance 57/100
    3:40 PM ET·ESPN Unlmtd

    Cubs at Diamondbacks

    Cubs76-57
    Diamondbacks70-63

    Matthew Boyd against Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound when the Cubs visit the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are 70-63, the Cubs 76-57.

  4. #4 · MLBImportance 56/100
    7:45 PM ET·MLB.TV

    Orioles at Cardinals

    Orioles64-68
    Cardinals66-67

    Kyle Bradish against Michael McGreevy is the pitching matchup as the Orioles visit the Cardinals. The Cardinals are 66-67, the Orioles 64-68.

  5. #5 · MLBImportance 50/100
    6:40 PM ET·MLB.TV

    Red Sox at Marlins

    Red Sox73-59
    Marlins67-66

    The Red Sox have won six straight; the Marlins get first crack at ending it. The Marlins are 67-66, the Red Sox 73-59. The Red Sox have won 4 straight in this matchup.

  6. #6 · MLBImportance 39/100
    4:10 PM ET·MLB.TV

    Pirates at Padres

    Pirates65-69
    Padres71-62

    Records aside, Fernando Tatis Jr. Is the reason to watch. The Pirates have won 4 straight in this matchup.

How the ranking works

Every game gets an importance score, built from 11 factors — rankings, playoff stakes, rivalry, star power, elimination pressure, how close the game actually projects to be, and more. The score is explained, never a black box. Narratives are written from the real state of the season — not "tune in tonight."

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