Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 6: Bench coach Brad Mills celebrates with Lonnie Chisenhall #8 and Erik Gonzalez #9 of the Cleveland Indians after the Indians defeated the San Diego Padres at Progressive Field on JULY 6, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Padres 9-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 6: Bench coach Brad Mills celebrates with Lonnie Chisenhall #8 and Erik Gonzalez #9 of the Cleveland Indians after the Indians defeated the San Diego Padres at Progressive Field on JULY 6, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Padres 9-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

American League Central

Cleveland Indians (47-40, .540, – GB)

Last Week: 1-2 vs. Padres, 2-1 vs. Tigers

  • Home Record: 21-24
  • Road Record: 26-16
  • Runs Scored: 421
  • Runs Allowed: 347
  • Run Differential: +74
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: July 14-16 at Athletics

Minnesota Twins (45-43, .511, 2.5 GB)

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

  • Home Record: 20-28
  • Road Record: 25-15
  • Runs Scored: 403
  • Runs Allowed: 463
  • Run Differential: -60
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: July 14-16 at Astros

Kansas City Royals (44-43, .506, 3 GB)

Last Week: 3-0 at Mariners, 0-3 at Dodgers

  • Home Record: 24-19
  • Road Record: 20-24
  • Runs Scored: 362
  • Runs Allowed: 387
  • Run Differential: -25
  • Streak: Lost 3
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Rangers

Detroit Tigers 39-48, .444, 8 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. Giants, 1-2 at Indians

  • Home Record: 23-20
  • Road Record: 16-28
  • Runs Scored: 409
  • Runs Allowed: 440
  • Run Differential: -31
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Blue Jays

Chicago White Sox (38-49, .437, 9 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 at Athletics, 1-2 at Rockies

  • Home Record: 19-18
  • Road Record: 19-31
  • Runs Scored: 397
  • Runs Allowed: 429
  • Run Differential: -32
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Mariners

Back in spring training, had you told Paul Molitor his Twins would have a winning record before the All-Star Break, and would be just 2.5 games out of first place, he gladly would have taken it. Especially with a minus-60 run differential and coming off a season in which the club posted the worst record in baseball.

The Indians eventually caught up to Minnesota thanks in large part to a pitching staff that posted an AL best 3.78 staff ERA in the first half. Corey Kluber was outstanding in the first half, posted a 7-3 record and 2.80 ERA in 14 starts. Kluber struck out 123 hitters in 93.1 innings and finished with a 0.99 WHIP.

Jose Ramirez has already made good on his contract extension, hitting .332/.388/.601 with 17 home runs and 48 RBI in the first half. Lonnie Chisenhall had a huge first half, Edwin Encarnacion finished strong, Michael Brantley regained his All-Star form and Francisco Lindor looked like a future MVP at times.

Unfortunately, the Indians have had to play without manager Terry Francona, who spent four days in the hospital last week for a heart procedure and missed several games of action. Francona’s health concerns will force him to miss the All-Star Game, and bench coach Brad Mills will step in to lead the AL squad in Francona’s place.

Home/MLB