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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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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 07: Jesus Aguilar #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate with c #8 after hitting a second inning 2-run home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 7, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 07: Jesus Aguilar #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate with c #8 after hitting a second inning 2-run home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 7, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

National League Central

Milwaukee Brewers (50-41, .549, – GB)

Last Week: 3-0 vs. Orioles, 2-1 vs. Yankees

  • Home Record: 26-23
  • Road Record: 24-18
  • Runs Scored: 451
  • Runs Allowed: 406
  • Run Differential: +45
  • Streak: Won 1
  • Last 10: 8-2

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Phillies

Chicago Cubs (43-45, .489, 5.5 GB)

Last Week: 1-1 vs. Rays, 0-1 vs. Brewers, 1-2 vs. Pirates

  • Home Record: 24-20
  • Road Record: 19-25
  • Runs Scored: 399
  • Runs Allowed: 399
  • Run Differential: 0
  • Streak: Lost 2
  • Last 10: 4-6

Next Week: July 14-16 at Orioles

St. Louis Cardinals (43-45, .489, 5.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-2 vs. Marlins, 2-1 vs. Mets

  • Home Record: 26-24
  • Road Record: 17-21
  • Runs Scored: 402
  • Runs Allowed: 389
  • Run Differential: +13
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: July 14-16 at Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates (42-47, .472, 7 GB)

Last Week: 3-1 at Phillies, 2-1 at Cubs

  • Home Record: 21-22
  • Road Record: 21-25
  • Runs Scored: 378
  • Runs Allowed: 403
  • Run Differential: -25
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: July 14-16 vs. Cardinals

Cincinnati Reds (39-49, .443, 9.5 GB)

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

  • Home Record: 23-20
  • Road Record: 16-29
  • Runs Scored: 424
  • Runs Allowed: 463
  • Run Differential: -39
  • Streak: Won 2
  • Last 10: 6-4

Next Week: June 14-16 vs. Nationals

We spent the majority of the first half waiting for the Cubs to establish themselves as the dominant force in the NL Central and for the Brewers to step aside and let it happen. However, Chicago followed its World Series title with a sub-.500 record and the supposedly rebuilding Brewers surged to a season high 5.5-game lead leading into the All-Star break.

Slugger Eric Thames hit like an MVP candidate early on, and helped Milwaukee finish the first half with 138 homers, which led the National League and ranked second to the Astros in the majors. Thames hit 23 long balls to lead the club, though six Brewers reached double digits and Travis Shaw, who like Thames was an offseason acquisition, hit 19 and led the team with 65 RBI.

Chase Anderson (6-2, 2.89) and Jimmy Nelson (8-4, 3.30) pitched far better than expected in the first half, as did closer Corey Knebel, who saved 14 games after starting the season in a setup role. Knebel struck out 75 hitters in 42.1 innings of work and posted a 1.70 ERA in the first half to earn All-Star honors.

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