After the first weekend of inter-league play of 2011, the Indians have seen their lead over the Tigers expand to seven full games, while in the AL East, the Yankees are percentage points ahead of the Rays and the Red Sox are only a half-game out as Boston comes to Cleveland. The AL West has the Rangers on top at only a game over .500.
Here is your Monday look at the standings in the Major Leagues, as well as a look at early-week action in the American League.
American League Central -
Cleveland Indians 29-15 .659 0 Games Behind -- The Indians finished off a sweep of the Reds on Sunday and find themselves well clear of the Tigers, for now. Now the Boston Red Sox come to Cleveland for a three-game series beginning on Monday night.
Detroit Tigers 23-23 .500 7 Games Behind -- The Tigers dropped the first two games in Pittsburgh before salvaging the finale of their series with the Pirates on Sunday, As the new week begins, the Tampa Bay Rays come to Detroit for a three-game set starting on Monday, before the Red Sox come to town for a series beginning on Thursday.
Kansas City Royals 22-24 .478 8 Games Behind -- The Royals are sinking rapidly, and are coming off of having lost two of three at home against the St.Louis Cardinals. Now Kansas City goes to Baltimore for three with the Orioles, beginning on Tuesday evening.
Chicago White Sox 22-26 .458 9 Games Behind -- The White Sox are playing well and have crept to within two games of second place after taking two of three at home vs. the Dodgers. Chicago plays three in Texas Monday through Wednesday, before heading to Toronto to begin a series with the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Minnesota Twins 15-30 .333 14.5 Games Behind -- The Twins continue to sink in the Central, after being swept in Arizona by the Diamondbacks. Minnesota is back home for three with the Mariners beginning on Monday night.
American League East -
New York Yankees 25-20 .556 0 Games Behind -- The Yankees took two-of-three from their rivals from New York over the weekend, and now welcome Toronto for three games against the Blue Jays.
Tampa Bay Rays 26-21 .553 0 Games Behind -- Only percentage points separate the Rays and the Yankees after Florida took two of three over the weekend against Tampa Bay. The Rays go to Detroit for a three-game set starting Monday night against the Tigers.
Boston Red Sox 25-21 .543 .5 Games Behind -- The Red Sox took two of three from the Chicago Cubs over the weekend, and now stop off for three in Cleveland starting on Monday before moving over to Detroit for a series beginning on Thursday.
Toronto Blue Jays 23-23 .500 2.5 Games Behind -- Toronto lost two of three over the weekend at home against the Houston Astros, and now must go to New York for three games against the Yankees starting on Monday. Then the Blue Jays return home to open a series with the White Sox on Thursday.
Baltimore Orioles 21-24 .467 4 Games Behind -- The Orioles took two of three from the Washington Nationals this past weekend, and now welcome Kansas City for a three-game set beginning on Tuesday.
American League West -
Texas Rangers 24-23 .511 0 Games Behind -- In the tightly-bunched West, the Rangers crept over .500 on Sunday when they salvaged the final game of three in Philadelphia. Texas is back home on Monday to start a three-game set with the White Sox.
Los Angeles Angels 24-24 .500 .5 Games Behind -- The Angels took two of three from the Braves at home over the weekend, and now entertain the Oakland A's for four games beginning on Monday night.
Seattle Mariners 22-24 .478 1.5 Games Behind -- The Mariners are getting hot, having just swept three games in San Diego against the Padres. Next Seattle heads to Minnesota for three games with the Twins starting on Monday.
Oakland Athletics 22-25 .468 2 Games Behind -- The A's have slipped into last place in the West but are only two games out of first after being swept in San Francisco. Oakland will try to regroup starting on Monday when they travel to Anaheim to take on the Angels in a four-game series.
In the National League Central the St.Louis Cardinals (28-20) benefited from the Indians sweep of the Cincinnati Reds (25-22) to open a little margin. The Milwaukee Brewers (24-23) are next, followed by the Pittsburgh Pirates (22-24). The Chicago Cubs (20-25) are fifth, while the Houston Astros (17-30) languish in last place, 10.5 games behing.
The National League East sees the Philadelphia Phillies (28-18) on top, with the Florida Marlins (26-19) within striking range. Next are the Atlanta Braves (26-23), and then there is a drop-off to the New York Mets (22-24) and the Washington Nationals (21-25).
Finally, in the National League West, the San Francisco Giants (27-19) are firmly in first, followed by the Colorado Rockies (23-22) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (23-23). Bringing up the rear in the West are the Los Angeles Dodgers (21-27) and the San Diego Padres (19-28).
And there you have it, your Major League standings as a new week begins. Be sure to check back on Friday for another update.