We are, if you can believe it, at the quarter pole of MLB’s regular season. It’s time to reboot our annual stretch-run “Schedule Watch” segment.This is the first of three check-ins over the final seven weeks of the regular season. In this edition, we’re covering the next three weeks of games, with Part 2 (Aug. 31) and Part 3 (Sept. 14) covering two weeks apiece. There’s some wacky stuff ahead in August: Contenders in makeup games, doubleheaders, the Field of Dreams game and the Little League Classic.Below, we have listed each contender’s remaining August schedule, their playoff odds and strength-of-schedule figures — both provided by FanGraphs — and picked a key upcoming series. All MLB teams with at least a 10 percent chance of making the playoffs were included.Teams are listed in order of playoff odds. Winning percentages and odds are updated through Sunday afternoon.AMERICAN LEAGUETampa Bay RaysRecord: 71-46
Playoff odds: 100 percent
Strength of schedule: .507
Rest of August schedule OpponentDatesGamesLocationWin%AthleticsAug. 10-123Road.398OriolesAug. 14-174Home.483Blue JaysAug. 18-203Home.471OriolesAug. 21-233Road.483TigersAug. 24-263Road.492PadresAug. 28-303Home.517
Key series: Aug. 14-17 vs. Orioles, Aug. 21-23 at OriolesThe Rays are wrapping up a nine-game West Coast road trip and get a day off before beginning a four-game home series against Baltimore. That’s a vulnerable team, yet the Rays are only 3-3 against the Orioles this season. Now, after the O’s sold at the trade deadline, Tampa plays them seven times over the next three weeks. The Rays need to take advantage of this stretch, because their season ends with 10 games against the Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies. Not an easy way to finish. They need to create some breathing room now.New York YankeesRecord: 66-52
