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
5 of 6
Next
Apr 15, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart comes up at third base after hitting an RBI triple against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart comes up at third base after hitting an RBI triple against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

National League Central

1. Cincinnati Reds (8-5, .615, – GB)

Last Week: 3-0 at Pirates, 1-3 vs. Brewers

  • Home Record: 3-4
  • Road Record: 5-1
  • Runs Scored: 62
  • Runs Allowed: 47
  • Run Differential: +15
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: April 18-20 vs. Orioles, April 21-23 vs. Cubs

2. Milwaukee Brewers (7-6, .538, 1 GB)

Last Week: 2-0 at Blue Jays, 3-1 at Reds

  • Home Record: 2-5
  • Road Record: 5-1
  • Runs Scored: 59
  • Runs Allowed: 52
  • Run Differential: _7
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: April 17-19 at Cubs, April 20-23 vs. Cardinals

3. Chicago Cubs (6-6, .500, 1.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. Dodgers, 0-3 vs. Pirates

  • Home Record: 2-4
  • Road Record: 4-2
  • Runs Scored: 47
  • Runs Allowed: 43
  • Run Differential: +4
  • Streak: Lost 3
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: April 17-19 vs. Brewers, April 21-23 at Reds

3. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-6, .500, 1.5 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 vs. Reds, 0-1 at Red Sox, 0-3 at Cubs

  • Home Record: 3-3
  • Road Record: 3-3
  • Runs Scored: 46
  • Runs Allowed: 57
  • Run Differential: -11
  • Streak: Won 3
  • Last 10: 6-4

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

5. St. Louis Cardinals (3-9, .250, 4.5 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 at Nationals, 0-3 at Yankees

  • Home Record: 2-4
  • Road Record: 1-5
  • Runs Scored: 42
  • Runs Allowed: 64
  • Run Differential: -22
  • Streak: Lost 3
  • Last 10: 2-8

Next Week: April 17-19 vs. Pirates, April 20-23 at Brewers

The Cincinnati Reds raced out to a 7-2 start to the season before dropping three of four against the Brewers at home at the end of the week. Zach Cozart and Eugenio Suarez have led an unexpectedly potent offense.

Cozart has hit .432/.488/.730 with two doubles, three triples, a home run and seven RBI to date, while Suarez is tied for the team lead with three home runs and 10 RBI while hitting .364/.440/.705. Scooter Gennett also has three homers and 10 RBI, while Adam Duvall, Joey Votto and Scott Schebler also share the lead with three long balls.

Unfortunately, a strained muscle led to pitcher Brandon Finnegan becoming the fourth Cincinnati starter to land on the DL during the young season.

Speaking of power, Brewers first baseman Eric Thames is red hot. The slugger has launched five home runs in his last four games and is now hitting .368/.455/.921 with six dingers this year. Thames is a big reason why Milwaukee posted a 5-1 record on the road this week to jump into second place.

The Cubs will be fine, but seeing the Pirates come to town and leave with a three-game sweep was a surprise. Kris Bryant hit his first two homers of the season Saturday, but the 8-7 loss was the only games in which Chicago scored more than four runs all week.

Pittsburgh started the week 0-4 after being swept by Cincinnati at home and dropping a rescheduled game in Boston 4-3, but ended on an upswing in Chicago. Andrew McCutchen is heating up, and hit safely in all seven games this week, which included two homers (one of which was an important three-run bomb to cap a comeback win at Wrigley Saturday) and six RBI.

The Cardinals are in rough shape following a sweep in the Bronx. Only the Indians have allowed more runs this season than St. Louis, and the Cardinals minus-22 run differential ties the Padres for the worst in the majors.

Home/MLB