MLB Standings: Yankees, Cubs retake first place

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After a big week for both clubs, the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs both climbed into first place in their respective divisions in the MLB standings.

As teams prepare to make their final moves ahead of the trade deadline, two baseball blueblood franchises – both active earlier in the trade season – are back atop their respective divisions in the MLB standings.

Before losing Sunday’s series finale against the Rays, the New York Yankees won six in a row and eight of nine to retake first place in the AL East. Led by Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino and Aroldis Chapman, pitching led the way. Tanaka was brilliant in his only start last week, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning against Tampa Bay Thursday. Severino improved his ERA to 0.43 in three starts since the All-Star break with a win over the Reds a day earlier, and Chapman was simply perfect in four appearances.

Aaron Judge hit his 33^rd home run of the season Friday night, which ties him for the major league lead. However, DiDi Gregorius and Brett Gardner have been the offensive stars for the Yankees over the past few weeks. Gregorius leads the club with six home runs and 12 RBI since the break, and Gardner has four homers over that span, including a walk-off Thursday night and a leadoff homer the following day. Gardner has now hit safely in 12 straight games.

The Cubs, winners of 13 out of their 16 games since the All-Star break, moved ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central and quickly built a 2.5-game lead thanks in large part to quality pitching.

The Cubs haven’t allowed more than three runs in a game since July 21, and have surrendered more than three runs only once in their last 13 contests. Since the All-Star break, Kyle Hendricks (1.93), John Lester (2.05), Jake Arrieta (2.33), Jose Quintana (2.37) and John Lackey (2.81) all have ERAs below 3.00.

American League East

New York Yankees (56-47, .544, – GB)

Last Week: 2-0 vs. Reds, 3-1 vs. Rays

Home Record: 31-18
Road Record: 25-29
Runs Scored: 550
Runs Allowed: 435
Run Differential: +115
Streak: Lost 1
Last 10: 8-2

Next Week: July 31-Aug. 2 vs. Tigers, Aug. 3-6 at Indians

Boston Red Sox (57-49, .538, 0.5 GB)

Last Week: 2-2 vs. Blue Jays, 1-2 at Angels

Home Record: 30-20
Road Record: 27-29
Runs Scored: 493
Runs Allowed: 433
Run Differential: +60
Streak: Lost 1
Last 10: 3-7

Next Week: July 31-Aug. 2 vs. Indians, Aug. 3-6 vs. White Sox

Tampa Bay Rays (54-52, .509, 3.5 GB)

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

Home Record: 29-23
Road Record: 25-29
Runs Scored: 484
Runs Allowed: 476
Run Differential: +8
Streak: Won 1
Last 10: 3-7

Next Week: July 31-Aug. 3 at Astros, Aug. 4-6 vs. Brewers

Baltimore Orioles (50-54, .481, 6.5 GB)

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

Home Record: 30-21
Road Record: 20-33
Runs Scored: 483
Runs Allowed: 555
Run Differential: -72
Streak: Won 2
Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: July 31-Aug. 2 vs. Royals, Aug. 3-6 vs. Tigers

Toronto Blue Jays (49-56, .467, 8 GB)

Last Week: 4-0 vs. Athletics, 1-2 vs. Angels

Home Record: 27-26
Road Record: 22-30
Runs Scored: 438
Runs Allowed: 523
Run Differential: -85
Streak: Won 1
Last 10: 5-5

Next Week: July 31-Aug. 2 at White Sox, Aug. 4-6 at Astros

Pitching played a big role in the Yankees’ surge back to the top of the NL East standings. Luis Severino allowed two unearned runs on three hits in seven innings in a win over the Reds Wednesday. Masahiro Tanaka allowed one run on two hits in eight innings Thursday against Tampa Bay, including 5.2 perfect innings to open the game. Aroldis Chapman spread four perfect innings across three appearances, struck out five and picked up a save.

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