As May begins, the Indians keep rolling right along. After their sweep of a six-game homestand, Cleveland finds itself a full 4 1/2 games ahead of the Royals...and after that there is a gulf between second and third, and then between third and fourth.
Can the Tribe maintain their advantage during an upcoming six-game West Coast swing? We will see, and while we are at it, here is your look at the latest standings in the Major Leagues.
American League Central -
Cleveland Indians 19-8 .704 0 Games Behind -- The Indians, after sweeping both Kansas City and Detroit at home last week, now head to the West Coast for six games. After a day off today, Cleveland is back in action on Tuesday night against the Athletics as a three-game set begins in Oakland.
Kansas City Royals 15-13 .536 4.5 Games Behind -- The Royals rebounded nicely at home, sweeping the Minnesota Twins to once again edge over .500. Kansas City also broke clear of the pack below them and have a three-game lead over third-place Detroit. The Royals begin a three-game series at home against Baltimore beginning on Tuesday.
Detroit Tigers 12-16 .429 7.5 Games Behind -- The Tigers have been swept in consecutive series, after losing three in Cleveland, and have fallen well behind in the Central. Now Detroit gets the Yankees at home for four games beginning tonight.
Chicago White Sox 10-19 .345 10 Games Behind -- The White Sox are free-falling, having dropped the first three games of a wraparound weekend series against Baltimore which ends today, and five straight overall. After the Orioles' series concludes, Chicago plays two at home against Minnesota, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Minnesota Twins 9-18 .333 10 Games Behind -- The Twins have dropped six in a row, after being swept in Kansas City over the weekend. Minnesota now has days off Monday and Thursday, sandwiched around a two-game set in Chicago beginning on Tuesday.
American League East -
New York Yankees 16-9 .640 0 Games Behind -- The Yankees just finished taking two-of-three at home against Toronto, and now head to reeling Detroit for a four-game set beginning on Monday night.
Tampa Bay Rays 15-13 .536 2.5 Games Behind -- The Rays lost two-of-three to the Angels at home over the weekend, and now welcome the Blue Jays for three in Tampa beginning on Tuesday night.
Baltimore Orioles 13-13 .500 3.5 Games Behind -- The Orioles have been the ultimate streaky team so far this season, and are at present on a three-game winning streak after having taken the first three games in a series that concludes tonight against the White Sox. Then Baltimore goes to Kansas City for three with the Royals starting tomorrow.
Toronto Blue Jays 13-15 .464 4.5 Games Behind -- Toronto took the first of three with the Yankees but then dropped the last two over the weekend, Now the Blue Jays go to the Sunshine State to take on Tampa Bay beginning on Tuesday.
Boston Red Sox 12-15 .444 5 Games Behind -- The Red Sox lost two-of-three at home to the Mariners over the weekend, and now entertain the Angels in four straight games in Boston.
American League West -
Los Angeles Angels 16-12 .571 0 Games Behind -- The Angels and the Rangers have been battling for most of the early-season and now find themselves tied atop the West. Los Angeles took two-of-three against the Rays in Tampa, and now go to Boston for a big four-game set with the Red Sox.
Texas Rangers 16-12 .571 0 Games Behind -- The Rangers find themselves tied for first with the Angels after losing two of the first three against Oakland in a wraparound series that concludes tonight against the Athletics. Then Texas heads up the coast to Seattle for three with the Mariners, beginning on Tuesday.
Oakland Athletics 14-14 .500 2 Games Behind -- The Athletics are hanging close to the lead in the West as the Angels and the Rangers both rather stumble along. Oakland will finish their four-game series against Texas at home tonight, having won two of the first three, before entertaining the Indians in three games beginning Tuesday night.
Seattle Mariners 13-16 .448 3.5 Games Behind -- The Mariners have somewhat resurrected their season. After winning five in a row in Detroit and Boston, Seattle lost the last of their three-game set yesterday to the Red Sox. Now the Mariners welcome the Rangers for three games back home.
In the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies (18-9) have the smallest of leads on the Florida Marlins (17-9), and then there is quite a drop-off to the Atlanta Braves (14-15) and the Washington Nationals (13-14), who both trail by five games. The New York Mets (12-16) bring up the rear in the East.
The Central is still congested, but there is at least a little separation now. The St.Louis Cardinals (16-12) lead, and are the only division team above .500. In second are the Cincinnati Reds (14-14), with the Milwaukee Brewers (13-14) in third. The step-ladder-looking Central then has the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-15) in fourth and the Chicago Cubs (12-15) in fifth. The dubious honor of Only Sixth-Place Team In The Majors goes to the Houston Astros (11-17).
The NL West is led by the Colorado Rockies (17-9), who have a healthy lead of 4 1/2 games -- tied with Cleveland for largest lead -- over the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-15) and the San Francisco Giants (13-14). The Arizona Diamondbacks (12-15) and the San Diego Padres (11-17) round out the last of the National League.
Look for your next MLB Standings Update this coming Friday.