MLB Standings: Giants, Blue Jays struggle; Twins and Diamondbacks surge

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Apr 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk off single in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

National League West

1. Arizona Diamondbacks (6-1, .857, – GB)

Last Week: 3-1 vs. Giants, 3-0 vs. Indians

Home Record: 6-1
Road Record: 0-0
Runs Scored: 48
Runs Allowed: 29
Run Differential: +19
Streak: Won 5
Last 10: 6-1

2. Colorado Rockies (5-2, .714, 1 GB)

Last Week: 3-1 at Brewers, 2-1 vs. Dodgers

Home Record: 2-1
Road Record: 3-1
Runs Scored: 28
Runs Allowed: 30
Run Differential: -2
Streak: Lost 1
Last 10: 5-2

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (4-3, .571, 2 GB)

Last Week: 3-1 vs. Padres, 1-2 at Rockies

Home Record: 3-1
Road Record: 1-2
Runs Scored: 40
Runs Allowed: 22
Run Differential: +18
Streak: Won 1
Last 10: 4-3

4. San Diego Padres (3-4, .429, 3 GB)

Last Week: 1-3 at Dodgers, 2-1 vs. Giants

Home Record: 2-1
Road Record: 1-3
Runs Scored: 22
Runs Allowed: 39
Run Differential: -17
Streak: Lost 1
Last 10: 3-4

5. San Francisco Giants (2-5, .286, 4 GB)

Last Week: 1-3 at Diamondbacks, 1-2 at Padres

Home Record: 0-0
Road Record: 2-5
Runs Scored: 34
Runs Allowed: 39
Run Differential: -5
Streak: Won 1
Last 10: 2-5

It wouldn’t be correct to say the first week in the NL West produced standings that appear upside down. After all, the favorite Dodgers are sitting in the middle of the pack with a 4-3 record. However, few expected the Diamondbacks to top the charts and the Giants to bring up the rear at any point this season – especially with the Padres available.

Arizona got the season started on the right foot with a walk off win on Opening Day and took the first series of the season at home against the Giants. The D-Backs then looked even better in a three-game sweep against the defending AL champion Cleveland Indians.

In all, Arizona scored 48 runs in its first seven games – a full eight more runs than the second most potent offense of the week (the Dodgers). The Diamondbacks plus-19 run differential is also the best in the big leagues through the first week.

It’s always nice to pick up a series win on the road, and the Rockies did exactly that with three wins in four tries in Milwaukee. Colorado then returned home and took the first two games of a three-game set against the Dodgers. Sitting 5-2 at the end of the week, the Rockies have won all five games by two or fewer runs.

As expected, the Padres were clobbered by the Dodgers on Opening Day and lost the first season of the year to the division favorites. However, there was a very bright spot to be found as Clayton Richard tossed eight shutout innings and San Diego blanked LA 4-0 in Game 2.

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Opening Day was a roller coaster ride for Giants fans. Madison Bumgarner took a perfect game into the sixth inning and hit two home runs, but Derek Law surrendered the lead in the eighth and new closer Mark Melancon couldn’t close the door in the ninth as the D-Backs walked off.

The Giants bounced back for an 8-4 win the following day, but lost four in a row before finally getting back in the win column Sunday with a 5-3 victory in San Diego.

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