After a trip to the West Coast, the Indians are back home with their 13-game home streak set to be tested by the Tampa Bay Rays beginning on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile the Angels have climbed to the top in the AL West and the Yankees lead the East, although the Rays are breathing down New York’s neck.
Here is another look at the standings as we head for the middle of May:
American League Central -
Cleveland Indians 22-11 .667 0 Games Behind — After completing a West Coast swing by losing two of three in Anaheim for the second time this season over the weekend, the Indians come back home, and begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, knowing that the Rays have won eight in a row on the road.
Kansas City Royals 18-16 .529 4.5 Games Behind — The Royals lost two-of-three at home against Oakland and failed to take advantage and gain ground on the Indians. Now Kansas City takes to the road for three in New York against the Yankees beginning Tuesday night.
Detroit Tigers 17-18 .486 6 Games Behind — The Tigers have won two of the first three games in Toronto of a four-game series that concludes on Monday. Then Detroit goes to Minnesota for an abbreviated two-game set with the Twins beginning on Tuesday.
Minnesota Twins 12-20 .375 9.5 Games Behind — The Twins have dropped two straight after winning the first of a four-game set in Boston. That series with the Red Sox concludes on Monday, before the Twins go back home to take on the Tigers for two games beginning Tuesday.
Chicago White Sox 13-22 .371 10 Games Behind — The White Sox took two of three from Seattle over the weekend, and now have the task of going to Anaheim and taking on the Angels in three games beginning Monday.
American League East -
New York Yankees 19-13 .594 0 Games Behind — The Yankees have seen the Rays pull into a virtual tie for first place even though New York went into Texas and won two of three over the weekend. Now the Yankees welcome the Royals to the Bronx for three games beginning Tuesday.
Tampa Bay Rays 20-14 .588 0 Games Behind — The Rays went into Baltimore over the weekend and swept the Orioles to run their road winning streak to a club single-season record eight in a row. Something will have to give when Tampa Bay takes that streak to Cleveland — where the Indians have won thirteen in a row — for a three-game set beginning on Tuesday.
Boston Red Sox 16-18 .471 4 Games Behind — The Red Sox have climbed to third in the East, more due to the failings of Toronto and Baltimore than to their own achievements. But Boston has won their last two, and wrap up a four-game set with Minnesota on Monday at Fenway. Then the Red Sox go to Toronto for a quick two games with the Blue Jays beginning Tuesday night.
Toronto Blue Jays 15-19 .441 5 Games Behind — After winning the first of four against Detroit on Friday, the Blue Jays have lost the last two — including being no-hit by Justin Verlander. That series wraps up on Monday before Toronto welcomes Boston for two games starting Tuesday.
Baltimore Orioles 14-19 .424 5.5 Games Behind — After a 6-1 start the Orioles have slipped all the way into the cellar in the East after being swept at home by Tampa Bay in three games over the weekend. The Birds now take on the Mariners for three games at home, starting on Tuesday night.
American League West -
Los Angeles Angels 20-15 .571 0 Games Behind — After the Angels took two of three from the Indians over the weekend, Los Angeles finds itself in first place in the West. Now the White Sox come to town for a three-game set starting on Monday.
Oakland Athletics 18-17 .514 2 Games Behind — By taking two-of-three in Kansas City, the A’s have caught the Texas Rangers and are tied for second in the West. Now comes a showdown with those same Rangers in Arlington, where the two teams will play a three-game set beginning on Monday.
Texas Rangers 18-17 .514 2 Games Behind — The defending American League champions have been scuffling, and after losing two of three to the Yankees at home now find themselves tied with their next opponent, the Oakland Athletics, with whom the Rangers start a three-game series at home on Monday night.
Seattle Mariners 16-19 .457 4 Games Behind — The Mariners have been able to get ever-so-close to .500, but after losing the last two of three against the White Sox, Seattle has fallen back again. The Mariners now go to Baltimore for three games, beginning Tuesday night.
In the National League Central, the St.Louis Cardinals (20-15) lead the way by a game and a half over the Cincinnati Reds (18-16). In third place and two and a half back are the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates (17-17), while the Chicago Cubs (15-18) check in four full games back. Next are the Milwaukee Brewers (14-20), five and a half behind, and last place still belongs to the Houston Astros (13-21), who find themselves six and a half games behind the Cardinals.
In the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies (22-11) lead the way, tied with the Indians for the best record in the majors. Two games behind are the Florida Marlins (20-13), while the Atlanta Braves (20-16) have been playing well to get to within three and a half games. In fourth place are the Washington Nationals (16-18), with the New York Mets (15-19) in last place, seven and a half behind the Phillies.
In the National League West, the Colorado Rockies (18-14) are really scuffling and are seeing their lead shrink away. Right behind the Rockies are the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants (18-16), now only a game behind. Third in the West belongs to the Los Angeles Dodgers (16-19), who find themselves three and a half behind, while the Arizona Diamondbacks (15-18) are in a virtual tie with the Dodgers. The San Diego Padres (14-20) check in at last in the West, but are only five games from the top of the West.
Please check back on Friday for our next look at the standings in advance of a busy weekend of action.