As we explore the MLB standings eight weeks into the season, the surprising New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies continue to play like true World Series contenders.
Imagine if we were able to travel back in time to the beginning of spring training, and share simple factual statements such as “Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks will lead the Yankees in Wins Above Replacement on June 12” or “Mark Reynolds will lead the Rockies in home runs and RBI on June 12, and three rookies will lead the Colorado pitching staff in WAR,” or even “Gary Sanchez, Aroldis Chapman, Jon Gray and Ian Desmond will all miss significant time with injuries.”
Would we believe either team had a .500 record? Most would likely expect both New York and Colorado to be out of the postseason race and contemplating a full rebuild with the trade deadline roughly six weeks away.
However, as we enter the middle of June, the Yankees and Rockies have emerged as two of the best teams in baseball.
We knew they would be fun to watch. The Yankees, playing a large number of young, home grown position players, and the Rockies, adding a few veteran pieces to a strong core, garnered plenty of column inches over the winter and in spring training. Therefore, neither club’s strong start in April and May came out of nowhere.
But despite the optimism that surrounded both clubs three months ago, few people expected either club to actually contend for a World Series spot. Nevertheless, both New York and Colorado are not only leading their respective divisions in the most recent MLB standings, both teams appear to be getting stronger after great performances against top competition last week. At this point it wouldn’t be a shock to see either in the Fall Classic.
American League East
New York Yankees (37-23, .617, – GB)
Last Week: 2-1 vs. Red Sox, 3-0 vs. Orioles
- Home Record: 22-9
- Road Record: 15-14
- Runs Scored: 353
- Runs Allowed: 238
- Run Differential: +115
- Streak: Lost 1
- Last 10: 5-5
Next Week: June 12-14 at Angels, June 15-18 at Athletics
Boston Red Sox (34-28, .548, 4 GB)
Last Week: 1-2 at Yankees, 2-1 vs. Tigers
- Home Record: 19-11
- Road Record: 15-17
- Runs Scored: 296
- Runs Allowed: 268
- Run Differential: +28
- Streak: Lost 1
- Last 10: 5-5
Next Week: June 12-13 vs. Phillies, June 14-15 at Phillies, June 16-18 at Astros
Tampa Bay Rays (34-32, .515, 6 GB)
Last Week: 2-1 vs. White Sox, 3-1 vs. Athletics
- Home Record: 21-15
- Road Record: 13-17
- Runs Scored: 310
- Runs Allowed: 297
- Run Differential: +13
- Streak: Won 1
- Last 10: 5-5
Next Week: June 13-14 at Blue Jays, June 15-18 at Tigers
Baltimore Orioles (31-30, .508, 6.5 GB)
Last Week: 2-0 vs. Pirates, 0-1 at Nationals, 0-3 at Yankees
- Home Record: 21-10
- Road Record: 10-20
- Runs Scored: 268
- Runs Allowed: 308
- Run Differential: -40
- Streak: Lost 4
- Last 10: 4-6
Next Week: June 12-15 at White Sox, June 16-18 vs. Cardinals
Toronto Blue Jays (31-32, .492, 7.5 GB)
Last Week: 1-2 at Athletics, 2-1 at Mariners
- Home Record: 17-14
- Road Record: 14-18
- Runs Scored: 270
- Runs Allowed: 275
- Run Differential: -5
- Streak: Won 2
- Last 10: 5-5
Next Week: June 13-14 vs. Rays, June 16-18 vs. White Sox
After beating the rival Red Sox in two of three games to begin the week, and sweeping Baltimore in a three-game weekend set at Yankee Stadium, New York has a season high four-game lead in the AL East. The Yankees outscored their opponents by 45 runs over the course of the week. For comparison’s sake, only five other teams have outscored their opponents by 45 runs over the course of the entire season. Three of them are in first place and all are in a playoff position.
Aaron Judge continues to mash, and the MVP favorite now has 21 home runs after hitting two Sunday, including a 496-foot moonshot. However, Judge wasn’t even the best hitter of the week for the Bronx Bombers. Gary Sanchez launched four homers and drove in 13 runs. Both numbers led the AL and tied for the MLB lead over the past seven days.