Fansided

Let’s take an early look at the MLB division standings

By Tre LyDay

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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As we delve into the month of May some teams are starting to gain a little separation. Some of the familiar names are in not so familiar spots too.

The year is 2018 and we live in a world where the Miami Marlins are currently closer to first place than the Los Angeles Dodgers. As it stands the Marlins are currently six and a half games back of the first place Atlanta Braves. As for the Dodgers, well they currently sit eight games back of the red hot Arizona Diamondbacks.

That is definitely not something any of us expected when the season started. Staying in the NL West to talk about the Dodgers’ early season struggles. Well it’s mostly due to the fact that they aren’t healthy at the moment. Clayton Kershaw is now on the disabled list, and Corey Seager is out for the season. Justin Turner is still working his way back from a broken wrist and Yasiel Puig is still recovering from an injury of his own.

You would have to believe that once the Dodgers get healthy then they can start to make up some ground on the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. Don’t forget about the San Francisco Giants, who after a slow start only sit four and a half games back in the division.

In the NL Central everyone in the division besides the Cincinnati Reds is in play. Only two and half games separate the Cubs, Pirates and Brewers from the division leading Cardinals who are coming off of a three game sweep of the aforementioned Cubs.

Wrapping up the National League heading out east, the Atlanta Braves still hold the top spot. The gap is closing though as only a game a half separates them from the Nationals, Phillies and Mets. The Nationals have won eight of their last 10 games and seem to have found their stride while still missing Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon spending some time on the DL. The rest of the division might want to pick it up if they don’t want the Nats to run away with this thing.

In the American League starting out west the Los Angeles Angels still lead the division even thought they’re 5-5 in their last 10 games and only 8-10 at home. Their 13-3 road record has been their saving grace, but it’s doubtful that kind of performance is actually sustainable. Three and a half games separate the Astros, Mariners and A’s from the Angels the west is wild again.

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Moving across to the central the Cleveland Indians lead the division but they’ve struggled to get there. They were just swept by the New York Yankees, and were either tied or leading in the ninth in two of those games. The Twins are only a game and a half back and the Tigers surprisingly are only three back. In all reality this is a two team race between the Indians and Twins, it just might be a minute to get there.

Last but not least we have the AL East where the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have the two best records in baseball, and will meet up for a three game set in New York starting Tuesday. Only a game separates these teams, and that’s with the Yankees winning 15 of their last 16 games entering this series. The next closest team is the Blue Jays but they’re six games out so this looks to be a two team race just like the old days.

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