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MLB Standings: Dodgers finish first half as the best team in baseball

By Nicholas Ian Allen

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 09: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits his second home run of the game, a two run shot scoring Logan Forsythe #11, in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on July 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 09: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits his second home run of the game, a two run shot scoring Logan Forsythe #11, in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on July 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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After a red-hot finish to the first half of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers enter the All-Star break atop the MLB standings.

The Houston Astros finished the unofficial first half of the 2017 season 60-29. Houston enters the All-Star break with the highest scoring offense in baseball (527 runs), the most home runs (148) and the largest lead of any division leader (16.5 games).

For the majority of the season, the Astros had the best record in baseball. However, because of an incredible run of success, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered the All-Star break with an even better 61-29 mark despite playing in a tougher division than Houston. The Dodgers spent a large part of the first half looking up at the Rockies in the division standings, but have won 26 of their past 30 games, including a 10-game winning streak from June 16-25, to surge past Colorado in the NL West and build a 7.5-game lead in the division.

Los Angeles has allowed just 300 runs this season, which is the best in baseball by a wide margin (the Arizona Diamondbacks rank second with 344 runs allowed). The Dodgers have the best ERA (3.15), WHIP (1.12) and opponent batting average (.223) in the big leagues as well. A good defense, powerful lineup and top-notch pitching staff helped the club post a major league best plus-163 run differential in the first half.

Offensively, the club featured six players that reached double digits in home runs, including team leader Cody Bellinger (25), who didn’t make his major league debut until April 25, and utility man Chris Taylor, who entered the season with two career home runs but hit 10 – three of which were grand slams – in the first half.

As the All-Star break begins, a look at the complete MLB standings shows the Astros have been the best team in the American League, but thanks to a huge push over the last month, the Dodgers are now the best team in the big leagues.

American League East

Boston Red Sox (50-39, .562, – GB)

Last Week: 2-1 at Rangers, 1-3 at Rays

  • Home Record: 25-14
  • Road Record: 25-25
  • Runs Scored: 431
  • Runs Allowed: 366
  • Run Differential: +65
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Yankees

New York Yankees (45-41, .523, 3.5 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 vs. Blue Jays, 1-2 vs. Brewers

  • Home Record: 26-17
  • Road Record: 19-24
  • Runs Scored: 477
  • Runs Allowed: 379
  • Run Differential: +98
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 3-7

Next Week: July 14-16 at Red Sox

Tampa Bay Rays (47-43, .522, 3.5 GB)

Last Week: 1-1 at Cubs, 3-1 vs. Red Sox

  • Home Record: 27-19
  • Road Record: 20-24
  • Runs Scored: 428
  • Runs Allowed: 412
  • Run Differential: +16
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: July 14-16 at Angels

Baltimore Orioles (42-46, .477, 7.5 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 at Brewers, 2-2 at Twins

  • Home Record: 25-16
  • Road Record: 17-30
  • Runs Scored: 392
  • Runs Allowed: 470
  • Run Differential: -78
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 3-7

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Cubs

Toronto Blue Jays (41-47, .466, 8.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 at Yankees, 2-2 vs. Astros

  • Home Record: 22-24
  • Road Record: 19-23
  • Runs Scored: 366
  • Runs Allowed: 430
  • Run Differential: -64
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: July 14-16 at Tigers

The Yankees spent the bulk of the first half in first place in the AL East, and built a four-game lead in a tough division with a six-game winning streak from June 7-12. However, New York followed with a seven-game losing streak and limped to the end of the first half with seven wins in 23 games, falling 3.5 games behind the Red Sox in the division.

Chris Sale helped Boston stay competitive through a tough start. Sale finished the first half 11-4 with a 2.75 ERA and a major league leading 178 strikeouts in 127.2 innings across 18 starts. Closer Craig Kimbrel saved 23 games and posted a 1.19 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 37.2 innings. Opponents hit just .110 against Kimbrel in the first half and he posted a 0.50 WHIP.

Offensively, Mookie Betts has provided a spark at the top of the lineup and leads the club with 15 first-half home runs. Five Red Sox finished with double digit homers in the first half, though Boston ranks last in the American League in long balls with 95 total.

The second half of the season is set to begin with a bang as the Red Sox host the Yankees for four games in three days at Fenway Park.

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