The Red Sox werent expected to be a powerhouse, however they are 21 games over.500 and have built a 4 1/2 game lead in the AL East over the defending AL champs. The Mariners. Did you realize Seattle is now five games over.500? They have a better record than the Yankees, Braves, Cubs, Cardinals and Blue Jays, to name a few expected contenders. I told you. Its been madness. And were barely halfway done. Induce the 2nd half!.
The Brewers increased to No. 1 in our rankings before losing 13 of their next 17 games. Theyve now won 27 of their last 36 and have a commanding lead, thanks to the Cubs completely falling apart with a nine-game losing streak and the Cardinals going 11-22/12 -21 given that late May. They won 14 of their last 17 games in June to climb right into contention, riding an outrageous power stretch from Kyle Schwarber.
Biggest Movers.
RkTeams
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ChgRcrd.
1.
Dodgers.
Well look at that, will ya? Were a bit past the halfway point of the full 2021 season. The full 162! Halfway! In a little bit of a self-loathing way, I actually started reflecting to last season and recognized we still hadnt even started the faux-season. We had actually just begun “Summer Camp” and were in fact delighted about it. OK, jeez, lets not relive the days without real baseball games. Instead, lets look at what weve seen in this 2021 season. It feels like its been extremely insane, however thats likely due to recency predisposition as each and every single season appears insane when were in it. Given that were in this one, lets diminish a few of the crazy weve seen just in regards to the roller rollercoaster ride some teams are taking. Considered that its Major League Baseball and this world revolves around them, Im contractually needed to start with the Yankees. What an absolute mess. Keep in mind when they started 5-10? How about when they got hot and ran their record to 28-19? Up and down, up and down, up and down. Not that they are alone..
Still, they were 3 video games over.500 through June 4. They started 5-2. The most current was their stretch of winning 7 of nine through last Sunday.
And were right back where we began, huh?
6.
53-31.
2.
Giants.
A little blip on the radar there with the four-game losing streak, but they immediately recovered. Im not expecting them to go away.
1.
53-30.
3.
Theyre streaking once again. The Red Sox simply took a hard-fought series in Oakland and have won nine of their last 10.
Red Sox.
1.
53-32.
4.
Astros.
The Astros getting swept by the Orioles in 3 video games was one of the most bizarre things that has happened this season.
2.
52-33.
5.
Padres.
Thats a 3-3 journey with some difficult losses, but theyre set up to complete strong with seven house video games, closing with three against the unlucky Road Rockies.
1.
50-36.
6.
Simply two weeks earlier, the Brewers were connected for top place. Now they have a seven-game lead. The 11-game winning streak that was snapped on Sunday was the second-longest in franchise history.
Makers.
3.
51-34.
7.
White Sox.
Former first-round pick Jake Burger had not played since 2017 due to injuries– most notably a ruptured Achilles tendon– and hes now 4 for 11 with a double and triple in his very first three MLB video games. Conserve the hamburger puns. This is a legitimately feel-good story.
1.
49-34.
8.
They won Sunday, but I easily couldve profiled the Rays in the introduction. They were as soon as number one here. Theyve now lost 12 of their last 17 games.
Rays.
5.
48-36.
9.
Call them the All-Snub group, with just one All-Star. No Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea or Mark Canha?
Athletics.
4.
49-37.
10.
–.
Blue Jays.
Quirk or sign of a coming breakout? The only AL groups with a better run differential than the Jays are the Astros and White Sox.
43-39.
11.
The last three video games on the schedule program “at Atlanta.” Will the Mets regret not burying the Braves when they had the opportunity?
Mets.
–.
43-37.
12.
They have not lost a series given that June 11-13 and have won 14 of 19.
Mariners.
3.
45-40.
13.
Huge week for the Angels. They have the Red Sox at home prior to heading to Seattle. , if they can complete hot– theyve won 6 of 7– theyll strike the 2nd half as competitors who just added Mike Trout.
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Angels.
6.
42-41.
14.
The bullpen had been a significant issue all season, but up until now this month Reds relievers have actually gone 13 scoreless innings.
Reds.
2.
43-40.
15.
Ive belabored the point about them not having been over.500 for even a game this year because its so remarkable, offered their skill. They take a crack at to go into the break feeling extremely positive, however, as they have actually won 4 of their last five and deal with the Pirates and Marlins three video games each to finish the first half.
Braves.
2.
41-42.
16.
Indians.
Its getting pretty unsightly, as theyve lost eight of their last 9 and next need to travel to Tampa Bay for three games.
4.
42-39.
17.
Yankees.
Aroldis Chapman is broken, Gerrit Cole is getting booed at home. Its a scene, man.
3.
42-41.
18.
–.
At least they are done with the Dodgers? They just ended up going 0-7 against the protecting champs. Possibly it was payback for the stunning upset in 2019.
Nationals.
40-42.
19.
Among the more weird stat lines weve ever seen is taking place with Bryce Harper. He has 14 homers and simply 26 RBI. What if he really wound up with this pace? Have we ever seen a season like 28 homers and 52 RBI from a routine? The closest match I could discover was 1999 Ruben Rivera finishing with 23 homers and 48 RBI.
Phillies.
1.
39-42.
20.
Cubs.
Well that escalated quickly, didnt it? Thats 9 straight losses given that the combined no-hitter. They went from a first-place tie to not even in contention in the matter of a half and a week.
7.
42-42.
21.
Tigers.
–.
In addition to having an 80-grade name, Akil Baddoo is having a pretty good season. Hes a gap-power with speed throwback, striking.281/.369/.481 with 14 doubles, 4 triples and 13 steals.
38-46.
22.
Cardinals.
–.
The Cardinals are 7-25 given that May 19 if we exclude their series versus the Diamondbacks and Marlins. They have even lost series to the Tigers, Pirates and Rockies.
41-44.
23.
May Starling Marte be on the relocation once again? Hes having an exceptional season and is due free of charge company after the season. The Marlins have already traded Corey Dickerson, so we know they arent shy about offering.
Marlins.
1.
35-47.
24.
Rockies.
Thursday, he hit a three-run walkoff homer and Sunday he once again walked things off with an RBI single. The Rox are now 31-17 at house.
4.
37-48.
25.
Rangers.
The Rangers got Adolis Garcia from the Cardinals in December of 2019 for cash. Couple of people even batted an eye. Hes now an All-Star.
1.
33-51.
26.
Possibly hell be called an injury replacement or something, but Scott Barlow was worthy of a look as an All-Star. The 28-year-old reliever has a 1.99 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings.
Royals.
1.
35-48.
27.
Last week I questioned if they were attempting to dig themselves out of the hole theyve been in all season. They continued to lose 5 straight. Its over.
Twins.
4.
34-48.
28.
Pirates.
Its odd to see a team this bad with two position gamer All-Stars, but both Adam Frazier and Bryan Reynolds deserve it.
3.
30-53.
29.
Presuming Trout doesnt return for the All-Star Game, which is incredibly likely, the open starting outfield spot comes from Cedric Mullins. The former 13th rounder was never ever thought about a leading prospect and was a profession.225 player through 115 games entering this season. What a story.
–.
Orioles.
27-57.
30.
Diamondbacks.
–.
They went 3-24 in June. Thats the worst June in baseball history aside from the 1981 Blue Jays, who thanks to a strike-shortened month went 0-10.
23-63.
In a bit of a self-loathing way, I actually started believing back to last season and realized we still had not even started the faux-season. Rather, lets look at what weve seen in this 2021 season. Hes having an outstanding season and is due for complimentary agency after the season. Last week I questioned if they were attempting to dig themselves out of the hole theyve been in all season. The previous 13th rounder was never ever considered a top possibility and was a career.225 hitter through 115 video games entering this season.
