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MLB Wild Card Standings: Dodgers and Red Sox on the rise

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 6, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Projected to win their respective divisions before the season, the Dodgers and Red Sox have climbed into the lead in the MLB Wild Card race.

We’re five weeks into the 2017 MLB season, and though there are nearly five full months left to play, the standings are beginning to take shape. The only real surprise among big league division leaders at this point is the Cincinnati Reds, who sit atop the NL Central thanks to a high-scoring lineup headlined by Joey Votto, Adam Duvall, and Scott Schebler – all of whom have connected for nine home runs so far.

However, a pair of division favorites – the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers – is still looking up in the standings. The Red Sox have suffered a host of setbacks including the retirement of David Ortiz, a spring training injury to David Price, a team-wide flu epidemic, a season-ending injury to All-Star knuckleballer Steven Wright, and an embarrassing series of events involving the Baltimore Orioles.

Though the Orioles have started strong, and the rival Yankees have posted the best record in baseball to date, Boston is still very much alive in the postseason race. Four games out of first place in the toughest division in baseball, the Red Sox have a narrow lead over three mediocre AL Central clubs for the second American League Wild Card.

In the National League, the Dodgers have faced challenges from the upstart Rockies and Diamondbacks, and have yet to overtake Colorado for first place in 2017. Los Angeles has also struggled to capitalize on seven early season games with the Giants. San Francisco is 4-3 against the Dodgers and 7-18 versus everyone else.

However, with the best team ERA in the majors and hot-hitting Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor, Los Angeles has made steady progress in the West, and has emerged atop the NL Wild Card standings.

May 7, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with center fielder George Springer (4) after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with center fielder George Springer (4) after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

American League Division Leaders

AL East

New York Yankees (20-9, .690)

There is no hotter team in baseball than the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers finished off a sweep of the defending World Series champion Cubs at Wrigley Field Sunday night (Monday morning, really) with a 6-5 victory in 18 innings.

A few surprising names have led the charge so far: rookie Aaron Judge has 13 home runs, which is tied for the major league lead with Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman. Starlin Castro led the American League with a .381 batting average through Saturday, and Aaron Hicks hit .355/.468/.710. Both Castro and Hicks have hit six home runs.

AL Central

Cleveland Indians (17-13, .567)

The AL Central might be the weakest division in the majors, and the defending pennant winners appear to be in control despite a lean than dominant start to the season. The Indians have been road warriors in 2017 with 11 wins away from Cleveland so far – more than any other team in the American League. Andrew Miller has yet to allow a run in 15.2 innings spread across 13 appearances, and Cody Allen has a 0.69 ERA and nine saves in 13 games. Simply put, there’s not a better bullpen combo in the majors.

AL West

Houston Astros (21-11, .656)

Of course, even though late inning relievers Luke Gregerson and Ken Giles have struggled, the Astros also have a strong bullpen led by Chris Devenski – who has 35 strikeouts in 19.2 innings – Will Harris, Brad Peacick and Michael Feliz. Dallas Keuchel is pitching like a Cy Young Award winner, Jose Altuve is hitting .304/.377/.478 with five homers and nine stolen bases, and Marwin Gonzalez has nine long balls.

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