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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 /
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Apr 14, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a three run home run during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a three run home run during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers (8-4, .667, – GB)

Last Week: 1-0 vs. Red Sox, 2-1 vs. Twins, 2-1 at Indians

  • Home Record: 5-2
  • Road Record: 3-2
  • Runs Scored: 54
  • Runs Allowed: 63
  • Run Differential: -9
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 7-3

Next Week: April 18-20 at Rays, April 21-23 at Twins

2. Minnesota Twins (7-5, .583, 1 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 at Tigers, 1-2 vs. White Sox

  • Home Record: 4-2
  • Road Record: 3-3
  • Runs Scored: 53
  • Runs Allowed: 30
  • Run Differential: +23
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: April 17-20 vs. Indians, April 21-23 vs. Tigers

3. Chicago White Sox (6-5, .545, 1.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 at Indians, 2-1 at Twins

  • Home Record: 2-3
  • Road Record: 4-2
  • Runs Scored: 40
  • Runs Allowed: 32
  • Run Differential: +8
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: April 17-19 at Yankees, April 21-23 vs. Indians

4. Kansas City Royals (6-6, .500, 2 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 vs. Athletics, 3-0 vs. Angels

  • Home Record: 4-2
  • Road Record: 2-4
  • Runs Scored: 38
  • Runs Allowed: 44
  • Run Differential: -6
  • Streak: Won 4
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: April 18-19 vs. Giants, April 20-23 at Rangers

5. Cleveland Indians (5-7, .417, 3 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 vs. White Sox, 1-2 vs. Tigers

  • Home Record: 2-4
  • Road Record: 3-3
  • Runs Scored: 55
  • Runs Allowed: 65
  • Run Differential: -10
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 3-7

Next Week: April 17-20 vs. Indians, April 21-23 vs. Tigers

Despite a minus-9 run differential overall, the Tigers surged to the top of the AL Central by taking two of three games from both the Twins and Indians this week. All four wins came by a margin of fewer than three runs.

Ervin Santana won twice in two starts this week for the Twins. The veteran right-hander tossed 15 scoreless innings, including a complete game one-hitter Saturday against the White Sox. However, Minnesota didn’t win a game anyone else started all week.

The Royals are one of the hottest teams in the American League. Kansas City ended the week on a four-game winning streak, highlighted by a walk off 1-0 win Sunday that secured a sweep of the Angels.

The White Sox haven’t been playing like a team in full rebuild mode. Chicago picked up series wins on the road against both the Indians and the Twins this week. Avisail Garcia put an exclamation on the week with a two-run homer in the 10th inning of Sunday’s 3-1 win. Also, only the Twins have allowed fewer runs than Chicago thus far.

Few would have guessed that the Indians would be the only AL Central team with a losing record through the first two weeks of the season. The biggest reason for the early struggles? No team in baseball has allowed more runs to date than Cleveland.

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