Fansided

MLB Standings: Astros show complete dominance

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Jun 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) and center fielder George Springer (4) celebrate the win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) and center fielder George Springer (4) celebrate the win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a perfect week, the Houston Astros have now won 10 games in a row and have established themselves as the dominant team in the MLB standings.

This time last week, the Houston Astros were on a four-game winning streak, which pushed the club to a 35-16 record – the best record in baseball – and gave the club a 10-game lead in the American League West. Despite those facts, the Astros hadn’t generated a ton of national buzz. Houston had been largely overshadowed in the AL by the surprising New York Yankees.

Sure, the team was solid. Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers both pitched like Cy Young Award candidates through the first quarter of the season, and the bullpen ranked as one of the best in the league. Offensively, the Astros fielded a lineup with no easy outs, but were again overshadowed by the Big Apple as Yankees rookie slugger Aaron Judge ruled the early season MVP talk. No Houston regular received a great deal of ink comparatively speaking.

One week later, after a perfect 6-0 run on the road that increased the Astros winning streak to 10, Houston has established itself as the most dominant team in baseball. Keuchel added another brilliant start to his ledger, and though McCullers struggled, the Astros lineup powered the club to 60 runs in six games. Houston now leads the majors with a plus-102 run differential and ranks second in runs scored (312), just two runs behind the Nationals.

No player in baseball had more hits (15), scored more runs (11) or hit more home runs (5) last week than George Springer, who hit .500/.531/.1.033 in six games. Springer was the only player in the majors to hit more homers than Carlos Correa, who went deep four times and led all of baseball with 12 RBI last week. Correa and Jose Altuve each scored eight runs, which tied with a handful of other players as the second most to Springer.

Keuchel is now the clear favorite to win the Cy Young, and instead of one MVP candidate, Houston now has three or four. The Astros became the first team to win 40 games, now have a 13.5-game lead in the division, and sit alone atop the MLB standings.

American League East

New York Yankees (32-22, .593, – GB)

Last Week: 1-2 at Orioles, 2-2 at Blue Jays

  • Home Record: 17-8
  • Road Record: 15-14
  • Runs Scored: 294
  • Runs Allowed: 224
  • Run Differential: +70
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: June 6-8 vs. Red Sox, June 9-11 vs. Orioles

Boston Red Sox (31-25, .554, 2 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 at White Sox, 2-2 at Orioles

  • Home Record: 17-10
  • Road Record: 14-15
  • Runs Scored: 271
  • Runs Allowed: 233
  • Run Differential: +38
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: June 6-8 at Yankees, June 9-11 vs. Tigers

Baltimore Orioles (29-26, .527, 3.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. Yankees, 2-2 vs. Red Sox

  • Home Record: 19-10
  • Road Record: 10-16
  • Runs Scored: 244
  • Runs Allowed: 253
  • Run Differential: -9
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: June 6-7 vs. Pirates, June 8 at Nationals, June 9-11 at Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays (29-30, .492, 5.5 GB)

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

  • Home Record: 16-13
  • Road Record: 13-17
  • Runs Scored: 272
  • Runs Allowed: 267
  • Run Differential: +5
  • Streak: Lost 3
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: June 6-8 vs. White Sox, June 9-11 vs. Athletics

Toronto Blue Jays (28-29, .491, 5.5 GB)

Last Week: 3-0 vs. Reds, 2-2 vs. Yankees

  • Home Record: 17-14
  • Road Record: 11-15
  • Runs Scored: 249
  • Runs Allowed: 255
  • Run Differential: -6
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 7-3

Next Week: June 5-7 at Athletics, June 9-11 at Mariners

The Yankees have maintained a slim lead in the AL East thanks to a plus-70 run differential that is the second best in the league and third best in the majors. New York has scored 294 runs this season, which ranks second in the AL and fourth overall.

Aaron Hicks hit .444/.448/.667 with 12 hits and 10 RBI in seven games last week to improve his surprising season slash line to .321/.432/.577 – all career highs by a long shot so far. Aaron Judge hit .346/.469/.692 with two home runs and seven RBI and Matt Holliday added nine hits and three homers (tied with Brett Gardner for the team lead last week).

Jordan Montgomery posted a 0.87 ERA across two starts, C.C. Sabathia allowed just one run in 6.1 innings, and Luis Severino struck out 15 in 13.1 innings across two starts, and posted a 2.03 ERA for the week.

However, despite a strong performance at the plate and on the mound, the Yankees were 3-4 in seven games and lost ground in the standings. And, coupled with a strong week from the Blue Jays, the Yankees are just 5.5 games ahead of last place Toronto – making the East the most tightly contested division in the AL.

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