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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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TORONTO, ON – JULY 7: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by Marwin Gonzalez #9 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 7, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 7: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by Marwin Gonzalez #9 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 7, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

American League West

Houston Astros (60-29, .674, – GB)

Last Week: 2-0 at Braves, 2-2 at Blue Jays

  • Home Record: 27-18
  • Road Record: 33-11
  • Runs Scored: 527
  • Runs Allowed: 365
  • Run Differential: +162
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 7-3

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Twins

Los Angeles Angels (45-47, .489, 16.5 GB)

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

  • Home Record: 23-19
  • Road Record: 22-28
  • Runs Scored: 377
  • Runs Allowed: 399
  • Run Differential: -22
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: July 14-15 vs. Rays

Texas Rangers (43-45, .489, 16.5 GB)

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

  • Home Record: 25-20
  • Road Record: 18-25
  • Runs Scored: 444
  • Runs Allowed: 415
  • Run Differential: +29
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: July 14-16 at Royals

Seattle Mariners (43-47, .478, 17.5 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 vs. Royals, 2-2 vs. Athletics

  • Home Record: 27-22
  • Road Record: 16-25
  • Runs Scored: 431
  • Runs Allowed: 435
  • Run Differential: -4
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: July 14-16 at White Sox

Oakland Athletics (39-50, .438, 21 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. White Sox, 2-2 at Mariners

  • Home Record: 24-21
  • Road Record: 15-29
  • Runs Scored: 382
  • Runs Allowed: 470
  • Run Differential: -88
  • Streak: Lost 1
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Indians

The Astros spent the majority of the first half with the best record in baseball, but the red hot Dodgers added one more win in one extra game before the All-Star Break, giving Los Angeles a lead by mere percentage points in the overall MLB standings.

Several Houston players put together first half performances worthy of award consideration. Though he’s been on the disabled list multiple times and doesn’t currently qualify for the ERA title due to a lack of innings pitched, Dallas Keuchel finished the first half 9-0 with a 1.67 ERA. Lance McCullers is 7-2 with a 3.05 ERA and 2.74 FIP, and struck out 106 hitters in 91.1 innings in 16 starts. Both have pitched well enough to enter the Cy Young conversation.

Jose Altuve ended the first half with a .347 batting average – better than anyone else in baseball. Altuve also posted a .417 on-base percentage and slugged .551, hitting 13 home runs with 50 RBI and 18 stolen bases, making him one of the best all around hitters in the game and an AL MVP candidate.

George Springer led the big leagues with 76 runs scored, and ranks second in the majors with 27 home runs. Springer drove in 61 runs during the first half as Houston’s leadoff hitter while hitting .310/.380/.613 in the first half to spark baseball’s highest scoring offense to 527 runs – a full 50 more than the No. 2 Yankees.

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