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MLB standings: Dodgers finally in first place, Cubs still second

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Jun 22, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (35) hits a double against the New York Mets during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (35) hits a double against the New York Mets during the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angels Dodgers are finally in first place in the NL West, and are just one game back of the Astros in the overall MLB standings.

It took a while, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are finally in first place.

After a three-game weekend sweep of the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, which increased LA’s winning streak to 10 games (and 16 wins in 17 outings), the club now has a 2.5-game lead in the AL West. During the 51 days the Rockies led the division, Colorado never had a lead greater than 2.5 games. The Dodgers have matched that mark in just four days since taking over first. Colorado now trails by 4.5 games.

Despite spending most of the season jockeying for second place with the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers have closed the gap with the Astros in the race for the best record in baseball. Los Angeles is 51-26 overall, just one game behind Houston’s 52-25.

Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger launched five home runs and tallied 12 RBI in seven games last week, both of which led the majors. Bellinger also had three doubles among his 10 hits, and hit .370/.400/1.037 with seven runs scored during that period. He also became the fastest MLB player in history to hit 24 home runs in his career, doing it in 57 career games.

The rest of the lineup was similarly hot. Justin Turner hit .455/.571/.818 with 10 hits, including two home runs, in six games. Turner tied Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson for the weekly lead in batting average, and led all of baseball with nine runs scored. He also drove in six.

Corey Seager hit three homers June 20 against the Mets, and posted a .563/.588/1.188 slash for the week. Joc Pederson hit .444/.615/.944, Yasiel Puig hit .333/.524/.800, and both homered twice. Yasmani Grandal added three long balls in five games. All were key in LA’s march to the top of the division, as was the best pitching staff in baseball, which has allowed an MLB best 3.45 runs per game this season.

As the Dodgers continue to rise, we take a look at the complete MLB standings.

American League East

New York Yankees (40-33, .548, – GB)

Last Week: 1-2 vs. Angels, 1-2 vs. Rangers

  • Home Record: 24-14
  • Road Record: 16-20
  • Runs Scored: 408
  • Runs Allowed: 313
  • Run Differential: +95
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 2-8

Next Week: June 26-29 at White Sox, June 30-July 2 at Astros

Boston Red Sox (41-34, .547, – GB)

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

  • Home Record: 22-13
  • Road Record: 19-21
  • Runs Scored: 350
  • Runs Allowed: 320
  • Run Differential: +30
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: June 26-29 vs. Twins, June 30-July 2 at Blue Jays

Tampa Bay Rays (40-38, .513, 2.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. Reds, 1-2 vs. Orioles

  • Home Record: 24-18
  • Road Record: 16-20
  • Runs Scored: 383
  • Runs Allowed: 362
  • Run Differential: +21
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: June 27-29 at Pirates, June 30-July 2 at Orioles

Baltimore Orioles (34-34, .500, 4.5 GB)

Last Week: 1-3 vs. Indians, 2-1 at Rays

  • Home Record: 24-14
  • Road Record: 13-24
  • Runs Scored: 344
  • Runs Allowed: 409
  • Run Differential: -65
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: June 27-29 at Blue Jays, June 30-July 2 vs. Rays

Toronto Blue Jays (33-35, .485, 5.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-2 at Rangers, 1-2 at Royals

  • Home Record: 19-17
  • Road Record: 17-22
  • Runs Scored: 324
  • Runs Allowed: 347
  • Run Differential: -22
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: June 27-29 vs. Orioles, June 30-July 2 vs. Red Sox

June has not been a great month for the Yankees. New York entered 30-20 with a three-game lead in the division, managed to run that lead to only four games after a six-game winning streak from June 7-12, and lost control of the division, even falling into second place for a day, during a seven-game losing streak from June 13-20.

The Yankees are now tied with the Red Sox in the standings, and the Tampa Bay Rays have closed to within 2.5 games. Of course, all three teams limped to the finish last week with back-to-back losses Saturday and Sunday.

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