Probably, but let’s do it anyway. In total – the American League and the National League together – there are 13 teams either in the top three of their competition or five games away from the third place. Some of you are used to hearing – for example, the Padres, the Giants and the Braves are among those who are used to fighting for a place in the play-offs.
But there are at least two teams whose records may not be at the level but are still in the competition. Angels has three games under 0.500, but AL has 4 1/2 games from third place in the Wild Card. The Rangers, with four games under 0.500, are just behind, with five games unplayed.
NL racing is largely made up of the usual suspects. The Brewers and Cardinals are half the game away in third place, the Phillies now have four games over 0.500, just 2 1/2 games.
Biggest jump: The Rangers jumped four places, from 20 to 16. They still have work to do if they intend to be at AL West, but things are slowly moving in a more positive direction. Texas was ready to win the third road series in four attempts before losing to Detroit on Sunday and agreeing to a four-handed split.
Biggest drop: There wasn’t much movement in this category this week. The biggest swing belongs to Angels, who dropped by only two places, from 16 to 18. They had a good weekend in Seattle, taking four out of five from the Mariners, thanks in part to Mike Trout, who hit five home teams in the series.
1) Yankees (49-17; last week: 1)
DraftKing World Cup odds: 4.5-1
The Yankees lost in Toronto on Sunday, ending a nine-game winning streak, but it’s not significant in an otherwise magical season. They took part in this competition with the Blue Jays winners in 49 of their first 65 games, the fourth time in history that they have put together this type of starting game. The only other years they have achieved this success in 65 games? There were three of them: 1928, 1939 and 1998 – they all ended with World Championship victories.
2) Forest (44-24; last week: 2)
DraftKing World Cup odds: 7.5-1
As of June 10: 7, the savages have won five of the last seven games, but their five wins are 2.20. Left-back Jeff McNeil is in a seven-game hit series, hitting 0.455 (10-22) with four runs, two doubles and five strokes.
3) Padres (41-27, last week: 4)
DraftKing World Cup odds: 13-1
Padres has been one of the best baseball teams for most of the season, but they will be best tested in the next few weeks as they play without Manny Machado, who twisted his left ankle while running to first base on Sunday. Machado produced star-worthy numbers at the time of his injury, hitting 0.328 and 0.945 OPS.
4) Dodgers (40-25; last week: 3)
DraftKing World Cup odds: 4.5-1
The Dodgers played in Sunday’s game against Cleveland, promising four races in the previous four games. Dodgers starters have a 2.57 ERA, led by Majors, while their 2.91 ERA is only after Yankees (2.86).
5) Astros (40-25; last week: 5)
DraftKing World Cup odds: 6.5-1
Astros’ depth is in trouble, with key players Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Peña injured, but the most intriguing storyline begins on Tuesday when they play nine games exclusively for New York teams (who are 1st and 2nd among us). Astros, the only team to win an AL West record, will host the savages for two games before heading to the Big Apple for six in a row – four with the Yankees and two with the savages. The stretch ends with a home game with the Yankees on June 30.
The remaining 30 fields
Voters: Alyson Footer, Anthony Castrovince, Paul Casella, Mark Feinsand, Nathalie Alonso, Doug Gausepohl, Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs, Andrew Simon, David Venn, Brett Blueweiss
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