The opener: Albies, Yankees, Mariners, Eovaldi, MLBTR chat

As the home stretch of the regular season continues, here are three things we'll be keeping an eye on in the baseball world today:

1. Albies start with the rehabilitation task:

The Braves have struggled with numerous injuries throughout the season, starting with the early losses of Spencer Strider And Ronald Acuna Jr. to the recent absence of Austin RileyThey are now finally close to getting a key player back, as manager Brian Snitker told reporters (including MLB.com's Mark Bowman) that the second baseman Ozzie Albies is about to return to action after missing two months with a broken wrist. The 27-year-old is scheduled to begin a short rehab today and, if all goes well, will play on Friday against the Marlins.

Albies, a switch hitter, still struggles when he bats left-handed and will have to hit exclusively right-handed when he returns. Fortunately, Albies has always hit much better when batting right-handed throughout his career, and Snitker confirmed he will be able to play second base during his rehab assignment. Whit Merrifieldwho was signed shortly after Albies' injury and has performed well as the club's second baseman during his absence, will now be an option in left field and third base, where further additions will be made during the season Ramon Laureano And Gio Urshela currently reside.

2. Series preview: Yankees @ Mariners

The Yankees travel west today to face the Mariners in a three-game set that will have significant implications for the AL's playoff situation. The Yankees currently hold a three-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East, and while the loser of that matchup will also enter the postseason as a Wild Card team, the division title is still notable because it will likely be tied to a bye in the Wild Card round. The Mariners are currently out of playoff position, but are just two games out of the final AL Wild Card spot. FanGraphs still gives them a chance at the postseason at 10.7% odds.

To keep those hopes alive, the Mariners must defeat the Yankees in this series, which begins tonight at 6:40 p.m. local time. Right-hander Luis Gil (3.18 ERA) will play for the Yankees alongside the 24-year-old Bryan Woo (2.38 ERA). The next day, left-handed Nestor Cortes (3.90 ERA) is expected to face right-handers Bryce Miller (3.18 ERA). The series ends with the right-hander Clarke Schmidt (2.41 ERA in 13 starts) against Logan Gilbert (3.24 ERA) on Thursday.

3. Eovaldi option watch:

As Steve Adams of MLBTR explained yesterday, the Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is just four innings away from triggering a player option worth $20 million. He's pitched four or more innings in 24 of his 26 starts this season, so it's very likely Eovaldi triggers that option today. The 34-year-old (35 in February) still has the right to decline that player option and test free agency again, but it does provide some insurance in case Eovaldi gets injured in the final weeks of the season — or perhaps just an easy way to clear up his offseason status early if the Texan native is happy with the Rangers and doesn't want to use free agency again. Eovaldi should have no problem outselling that $20 million guarantee on the market, though. This season he has posted a 3.67 ERA in 152 frames, and in his two seasons as a Ranger he has a combined 3.65 ERA, a 23.7% strikeout rate, a 7% walk rate and a 49.8% grounder rate in 296 frames.

4. MLBTR Chat:

The postseason is upon us and clubs are starting to be eliminated as the remaining contenders make their final playoff efforts. In the AL, the Tigers and Mariners are hot on the Twins' heels in the battle for the final AL wild card spot. In the NL, the Diamondbacks, Mets and Braves are neck and neck for the final two wild card spots behind San Diego. If you're wondering what your team's chances are of winning a World Series title this fall or how your club might approach the upcoming offseason, MLBTR's Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers today at 1 p.m. CT. You can click here to ask a question beforehand, join live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat ends.