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MLB Standings: Indians sweep, Rangers make gains on Astros

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) shakes hands Cleveland Indians designated hitter Carlos Santana (41) after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) shakes hands Cleveland Indians designated hitter Carlos Santana (41) after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) runs the bases on his way to scoring a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) runs the bases on his way to scoring a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

National League East

Washington Nationals (26-17, .605, – GB)

Last Week: 1-2 at Pirates, 1-2 at Braves

  • Home Record: 12-7
  • Road Record: 14-10
  • Runs Scored: 246
  • Runs Allowed: 205
  • Run Differential: +41
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: May 23-25 vs. Mariners, May 26-28 vs. Padres

Atlanta Braves (18-23, .439, 7 GB)

Last Week: 2-0 at Blue Jays, 1-1 vs. Blue Jays, 2-1 vs. Nationals

  • Home Record: 8-10
  • Road Record: 10-13
  • Runs Scored: 188
  • Runs Allowed: 211
  • Run Differential: -23
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 37-3

Next Week: May 22-25 vs. Pirates, May 26-28 at Giants

New York Mets (18-24, .429, 7.5 GB)

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

  • Home Record: 10-13
  • Road Record: 8-11
  • Runs Scored: 210
  • Runs Allowed: 237
  • Run Differential: -27
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 2-8

Next Week: May 23-25 vs. Padres, May 26-28 at Pirates

Philadelphia Phillies (15-26, .366, 10 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 at Rangers, 1-2 at Pirates

  • Home Record: 8-8
  • Road Record: 7-18
  • Runs Scored: 183
  • Runs Allowed: 202
  • Run Differential: -19
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 2-8

Next Week: May 22-25 vs. Rockies, May 26-28 vs. Reds

Miami Marlins (15-28, .349, 11 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 vs. Astros, 1-3 at Dodgers

  • Home Record: 6-14
  • Road Record: 9-14
  • Runs Scored: 178
  • Runs Allowed: 222
  • Run Differential: -44
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 2-8

Next Week: May 23-24 at Athletics, May 26-28 vs. Angels

Up seven games up in the NL East, which is now the widest lead in any division in baseball, the Nationals have an opportunity to run away with the division title before the All-Star break. Of course, to truly blow the race open in the East, Washington needs to take care of business against sub-.500 teams – something the club didn’t do this week in losing back-to-back road series in Pittsburgh and Atlanta.

The Nats have been the best offensive team in baseball through the first quarter of the season, scoring 5.72 runs per game thus far and leading the majors in batting average (.274), slugging percentage (.471) and OPS (.817), while ranking second in home runs (65) and on-base percentage (.346) entering Sunday. However, Washington was held to just 22 runs in seven games this week – an average of 3.14 per contest.

On the surface, the Atlanta Braves had a great week. The Braves swept two games in Toronto, and split the next two against the Blue Jays in Atlanta before taking two of three over the weekend against the first place Nationals. However, Atlanta lost Freddie Freeman – who hit .341/.461/.748 with an NL leading 14 home runs – to a fractured wrist. Freeman is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.

It doesn’t get much worse than a 0-6 road trip, which the Mets endured over the past week and a half. However, back in New York over the weekend, the club stopped a seven-game losing streak with an interleague series victory over the Angels. Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler pitched great over the past seven days, but New York lost ground in the division yet again.

The Phillies have been in a free fall since an 11-9 start to the season, and now sit nine games out of first place and 10 games under .500 after a 4-16 run over their past 20 games. Philadelphia got good work from starters Aaron Nola, Jeremy Hellickson, Nick Pivetta and Jerad Eickhoff over the past week, but could only come up with enough offense to win once.

Similarly, the Marlins were 10-9 less than one month ago, but have lost 18 of 23 games since. Justin Bour continues to mash, and Dan Strailey continues to pitch well, but Giancarlo Stanton hasn’t hit a home run in 12 games and Wei-Yin Chen will be out for a month with elbow soreness.

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