Fansided

MLB Standings: Big week for Red Sox, Dodgers; Orioles, Cubs swept

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) rounds third base to score on a hit by first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) (not pictured) against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) rounds third base to score on a hit by first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) (not pictured) against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

The Red Sox and Dodgers took a big step forward in the latest MLB standings, but the Orioles and Cubs dropped farther out of first place.

Though both were pegged as World Series contenders in Spring Training, the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have spent far more time out of first place this season than in it.

The last time Boston found itself atop the standings in the American League East was April 5, after the club walked off with a 3-0 win against the Pirates to improve to 2-0. The Dodgers were most recently in first place April 6, after the team beat the Padres 10-2 to take three of four games against San Diego in the first series of the 2017 season.

In the six weeks since, Boston and Los Angeles have spent the majority of their time in third place, behind a pair of surprising upstarts. The Yankees and Orioles jockeyed for first in the AL East through the first six weeks, though a winless week for Baltimore allowed the surging Red Sox — who won five of six thanks to stellar pitching, most notably Brian Johnson’s five-hit shutout against the Mariners — to climb ahead of the Orioles into second place in the standings.

In the National League West, the Rockies and Diamondbacks got off to exceptionally strong starts, and have sat one-two in the division since the first week of the season. The D-Backs lost two in a row in Milwaukee over the weekend, but won 10 of 11 prior, and show no real signs their start was a fluke. As for Colorado, the Rockies have the best record in the senior circuit.

Los Angeles swept the Cubs at Dodger Stadium over the weekend to move ahead of Arizona in the West. The sweep also closed the gap with division-leading Colorado to 1.5 games. Chicago, meanwhile, dropped into third place in the NL Central.

Who else made a move last week? We explore the complete MLB standings.

May 26, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

American League East

New York Yankees (29-18, .617, – GB)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. Royals, 2-1 vs. Athletics

  • Home Record: 17-8
  • Road Record: 12-10
  • Runs Scored: 254
  • Runs Allowed: 196
  • Run Differential: +58
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: May 29-31 at Orioles, June 1-4 at Blue Jays

Boston Red Sox (27-22, .551, 3 GB)

Last Week: 3-0 vs. Rangers, 2-1 vs. Mariners

  • Home Record: 17-10
  • Road Record: 10-12
  • Runs Scored: 231
  • Runs Allowed: 205
  • Run Differential: +26
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: May 29-31 at White Sox, June 1-4 at Orioles

Baltimore Orioles (25-23, .521, 4.5 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 vs. Twins, 0-3 at Astros

  • Home Record: 15-7
  • Road Record: 10-16
  • Runs Scored: 213
  • Runs Allowed: 220
  • Run Differential: -7
  • Streak: Lost 7
  • Last 10: 2-8

Next Week: May 29-31 vs. Yankees vs. Twins, June 1-4 vs. Red Sox

Tampa Bay Rays (27-26, .509, 5 GB)

Last Week: 2-2 vs. Angels, 2-1 at Twins

  • Home Record: 16-13
  • Road Record: 11-13
  • Runs Scored: 243
  • Runs Allowed: 217
  • Run Differential: +26
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: May 29-31 at Rangers, June 2-4 at Mariners

Toronto Blue Jays (23-27, .460, 7.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-0 at Brewers, 2-1 vs. Rangers

  • Home Record: 12-12
  • Road Record: 11-15
  • Runs Scored: 209
  • Runs Allowed: 219
  • Run Differential: -10
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: May 29-31 vs. Reds, June 1-4 vs. Yankees

The powerful Yankees lineup has been the biggest reason for the success of the club so far, with slugging outfielder Aaron Judge and his 16 home runs leading the way. But New York has struggled on the mound at times.

Big-name starting pitchers Masahiro Tanaka and C.C. Sabathia have struggled. Tanaka has a 5.86 ERA, and Sabathia sits at 4.42, but both were solid last week. Tanaka allowed just one run and struck out 13 in 7.1 innings against Oakland and Sabathia held the A’s to two earned runs in 6.1 innings while striking out nine. Luis Severino, who has been one of the team’s best starters this season, tossed eight scoreless innings against the Royals in which he allowed just four hits and one walk.

Home/MLB