MLB Standings: Brewers, Cardinals closing in on Cubs in NL Central race
American League Central
Cleveland Indians (68-54, .557, – GB)
Last Week: 1-0 at Red Sox, 2-1 at Twins, 2-1 at Royals
- Home Record: 31-27
- Road Record: 37-27
- Runs Scored: 594
- Runs Allowed: 464
- Run Differential: +130
- Streak: Lost 1
- Last 10: 8-2
Minnesota Twins (63-59, .516, 5 GB)
Last Week: 1-2 vs. Indians, 3-0 vs. Diamondbacks
- Home Record: 31-35
- Road Record: 32-24
- Runs Scored: 578
- Runs Allowed: 620
- Run Differential: -42
- Streak: Won 4
- Last 10: 7-3
Kansas City Royals (62-61, .504, 6.5 GB)
Last Week: 2-0 at Athletics, 1-2 vs. Indians
- Home Record: 33-29
- Road Record: 29-32
- Runs Scored: 549
- Runs Allowed: 577
- Run Differential: -28
- Streak: Won 1
- Last 10: 5-5
Detroit Tigers (54-69, .439, 14.5 GB)
Last Week: 0-3 at Rangers, 1-2 vs. Dodgers
- Home Record: 30-30
- Road Record: 24-39
- Runs Scored: 590
- Runs Allowed: 643
- Run Differential: -53
- Streak: Won 1
- Last 10: 2-8
Chicago White Sox (47-74, .388, 20.5 GB)
Last Week: 0-2 at Dodgers, 2-2 at Rangers
- Home Record: 25-31
- Road Record: 22-43
- Runs Scored: 526
- Runs Allowed: 623
- Run Differential: -97
- Streak: Won 1
- Last 10: 4-6
The Twins had a great end of the week, but the Indians beat Minnesota twice in three games on the road, which helped open a strong five-game lead in the division with fewer than six weeks to play. Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco played a big role in last week’s success with Bauer leading the charge with two wins in three appearances, including two starts. Bauer posted a 1.98 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 13.2 innings for the Tribe.
Offensively, Carlos Santana, Jay Bruce, Jason Kipnis and Eduardo Encarnacion led the charge. Santana had 11 hits, Bruce and Kipnis each homered three times, and Encarnacion hit four long balls as the Indians won four of six games.