Fansided

MLB Standings: Yankees, Astros are hot, Cubs are not

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 16, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (right) is congratulated by right fielder Aaron Judge (99) after hitting a two run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (right) is congratulated by right fielder Aaron Judge (99) after hitting a two run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

It’s still early, but the 2017 season is in full swing, and the MLB standings are beginning to take shape. The Yankees and Astros are hot, but the Cubs are not.

Sometimes rebuilding teams arrive sooner than expected. Few thought the Houston Astros would win 86 games and make it to the postseason in 2015 after losing at least 92 games in each of the previous four seasons (including three years of 106 or more losses).

The Cubs also arrived early in 2015, jumping from 73 wins the previous season to 97 and an NLCS berth. Like the Astros, Chicago had suffered through a dismal stretch. The Cubs lost 87 or more games in five straight seasons, including 101 in 2012, before turning the corner.

Could the Yankees be the next rebuilding franchise to make it to the postseason earlier than expected? It’s still very early, but New York is the hottest team in baseball, and topped off an undefeated week with a 9-3 victory over St. Louis Sunday night.

Now 8-4, the Yankees have won seven in a row. Though they never hit rock bottom like the Astros or Cubs (New York hasn’t posted a losing record since 1992), with many familiar faces gone, a bevy of youngsters such as Aaron Judge and Greg Bird in the lineup, and the resurgence of starters Michael Pineda and C.C. Sabathia, the new-look Yankees are still performing better than most thought they would at the beginning of the season. And there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic they can compete in the AL East this year.

As for the 2017 Astros, Houston has apparently righted the ship following a slow start. The Astros are also 8-4 and are riding a four-game winning streak. Pitching carried the load early, but the lineup finally broke through with 34 runs in those four games.

On the other hand, the 2017 Cubs are off to a slow start. Just 6-6 thus far, Chicago celebrated their World Series win with the championship ring ceremony early this week, and won two of three games against the Dodgers. However, the Pirates came to town and swept the defending World Champions after being swept by the first place Cincinnati Reds themselves earlier in the week.

As the season takes shape following the first two weeks of action, we recap the week and take an updated look at the latest MLB standings.

American League East

1. Baltimore Orioles (8-3, .727, – GB)

Last Week: 1-1 at Red Sox, 2-1 at Blue Jays

  • Home Record: 4-1
  • Road Record: 4-2
  • Runs Scored: 53
  • Runs Allowed: 43
  • Run Differential: +10
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 7-3

Next Week: April 18-20 at Reds, April 21-23 vs. Red Sox

2. New York Yankees (8-4, .667, 0.5 GB)

Last Week: 3-0 vs. Rays, 3-0 vs. Cardinals

  • Home Record: 6-0
  • Road Record: 2-4
  • Runs Scored: 60
  • Runs Allowed: 40
  • Run Differential: +20
  • Streak: Won 7
  • Last 10: 7-3

Next Week: April 17-19 vs. White Sox, April 21-23 at Pirates

3. Boston Red Sox (7-5, .583, 1.5 GB)

Last Week: 0-1 at Tigers, 1-1 vs. Orioles, 1-0 vs. Pirates, 2-1 vs. Rays

  • Home Record: 6-2
  • Road Record: 1-3
  • Runs Scored: 53
  • Runs Allowed: 52
  • Run Differential: +1
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: April 17 vs. Rays, April 18-20 at Blue Jays, April 21-23 at Orioles

4. Tampa Bay Rays (6-7, .462, 3 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 at Yankees, 1-2 at Red Sox

  • Home Record: 5-2
  • Road Record: 1-5
  • Runs Scored: 56
  • Runs Allowed: 59
  • Run Differential: -3
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: April 17 at Red Sox, April 18-20 vs. Tigers, April 21-23 vs. Astros

5. Toronto Blue Jays (2-10, .167, 6.5 GB)

Last Week: 0-2 vs. Brewers, 1-3 vs. Orioles

  • Home Record: 1-5
  • Road Record: 1-5
  • Runs Scored: 34
  • Runs Allowed: 54
  • Run Differential: -20
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 2-8

Next Week: April 18-20 vs. Red Sox, April 21-23 at Angels

The Orioles held on to the top spot in the AL East, but got bad news Sunday when closer Zach Britton was placed on the disabled list with soreness in his left forearm. Britton has converted 54 consecutive save opportunities.

The Yankees were on a tear during the second full week of the season, and have now won seven in a row. New York has scored the second most runs in the AL (60) and also has the second best run differential (plus-20).

Chris Sale has been outstanding for the Red Sox so far this season. Though he lost a duel with Justin Verlander and the Tigers Monday, Sale posted a 1.84 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 14.2 innings in two starts. Reigning Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello, on the other hand, has struggled. Porcello allowed eight earned runs and four homers, in a 10-5 loss to the Rays Friday.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi suffered a hamstring injury Saturday that forced him out of action in the second inning of Saturday’s start against Boston, and landed the right-hander on the DL. Tampa Bay fell 2-1 in the contest, then lost 7-5 Sunday to cap off a rough 1-5 week.

Fans are already hitting the panic button in Toronto, and for good reason. The Blue Jays were the first club to lose 10 games, have scored the fewest runs in baseball (34) and have the third worst run differential in the majors (minus-20). To make matters worse, ace Aaron Sanchez was place on the DL with a blister.

Home/MLB