Fansided

MLB Standings: Indians and Cubs are back, Astros and Nationals still best

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and center fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) celebrate their win against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Indians won 7-0. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and center fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (8) celebrate their win against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Indians won 7-0. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Apr 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder Abraham Almonte (35) scores as Chicago White Sox catcher Geovany Soto (18) takes the throw during the fifth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder Abraham Almonte (35) scores as Chicago White Sox catcher Geovany Soto (18) takes the throw during the fifth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

American League Central

Cleveland Indians (10-8, .556, – GB)

Last Week: 3-0 at Twins, 2-1 at White Sox

  • Home Record: 2-4
  • Road Record: 8-4
  • Runs Scored: 87
  • Runs Allowed: 78
  • Run Differential: +9
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: April 25-27 vs. Astros, April 28-30 vs. Mariners

Detroit Tigers (10-8, .556, – GB)

Last Week: 0-3 at Rays, 2-1 at Twins

  • Home Record: 5-2
  • Road Record: 5-6
  • Runs Scored: 84
  • Runs Allowed: 98
  • Run Differential: -14
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: April 25-27 vs. Mariners, April 28-30 vs. White Sox

Chicago White Sox (8-9, .471, 1.5 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 at Yankees, 1-2 vs. Indians

  • Home Record: 3-5
  • Road Record: 5-4
  • Runs Scored: 55
  • Runs Allowed: 61
  • Run Differential: -6
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: April 24-26 vs. Royals, April 28-30 at Tigers

Minnesota Twins (8-10, .444, 2 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 vs. Indians, 1-2 vs. Tigers

  • Home Record: 5-7
  • Road Record: 3-3
  • Runs Scored: 74
  • Runs Allowed: 71
  • Run Differential: +23
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: April 24-26 at Rangers, April 28-30 at Royals

Kansas City Royals (7-11, .500, 3 GB)

Last Week: 1-1 vs. Giants, 0-4 at Rangers

  • Home Record: 5-3
  • Road Record: 2-8
  • Runs Scored: 46
  • Runs Allowed: 60
  • Run Differential: -14
  • Streak: Lost 4
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: April 24-26 at White Sox, April 28-30 vs. Twins

The Cleveland Indians were road warriors, posting a 5-1 record last week away from home, which helped the Tribe surge to the top of the division standings for the first time this year. Cleveland exerted the type of dominance we expected they would in the preseason, bouncing back from a minus-10 run differential to plus-9 in just six games.

No team in baseball has allowed more runs than the Detroit Tigers, who nevertheless have held on to a share of first place in the division. Not only are the Tigers the only first place team with a negative run differential, only six big league clubs have posted a worst mark to date. Of course, it doesn’t matter if you lose one game by 100 runs if you win the next two. After being swept in Tampa Bay and opening the Minnesota series with 6-3 loss, Detroit won twice to close the week and stayed above .500.

A week ago, the Twins had a plus-23 run differential, but suffered a minus-20 stretch this week and lost five of six games. What’s worse is that Minnesota hosted the two top teams in the division and missed a huge opportunity to capitalize on a strong start through the first two weeks of the season. The Twins have averaged just 3.3 runs per game over their last 14 contests, and are unsurprisingly 4-10 over that span.

It was also a bad week for the Royals. After climbing back to .500 with five wins in six games, Kansas City finished the week on a four-game losing streak. The Royals scored eight runs all week, and have plated just 46 runs this season – the fewest in baseball. The White Sox have scored 55 runs, the second fewest in the majors.

Home/MLB