As we move towards the end of July, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros are the two top teams in all of baseball. The Dodgers took a big hit this week when it was announced that staff ace Clayton Kershaw will miss four to six weeks with a back injury. The Dodgers haven’t been slowed by the news as they enter Thursday on a five-game winning streak. As for the Astros, they’ve cooled off a bit and are just 6-4 in their last 10 games. We’ll see what – or if – either team will do before the upcoming trade deadline.
All stats and standings are prior to the games on Thursday, July 27th.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week: 1
World Series Championship Odds: +275
The Dodgers now lead the National League West by 12.5 games after splitting four with Atlanta and sweeping Minnesota, both at home. Next, they’ll host their rivals from San Francisco and then head to Atlanta. The Dodgers were led by Chris Taylor at the plate as he hit .444 with a homer and seven RBIs. On the mound, the Dodgers were led by Brock Stewart. He made two appearances, including a start, and he didn’t allow a run in 5.2 innings, although he didn’t take any decisions.
2. Houston Astros
Last Week: 2
World Series Championship Odds: +450
The Astros top the American League West by 17 games after winning two of three in both Baltimore and Philadelphia, and next they head to Detroit before hosting Tampa Bay. Jose Altuve had another big week, batting .538 with a homer and seven RBIs as the Astros hit .322 as a team. On the hill, the Astros had a 5.36 ERA, but Charlie Morton threw a three-hitter over seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a win over the Phillies.
3. Washington Nationals
Last Week: 4
World Series Championship Odds: +700
The Nationals lead the NL East by 12.5 games as they won two of three in Arizona, and they’ve split the first two of a three-game set at home with Milwaukee. The Nationals will welcome Colorado to town before heading to Miami. Washington hit just .224 as a team this week, although Bryce Harper hit .286 with a homer and two RBIs. Ryan Madson was great coming out of the bullpen, going 1-0 with a hold in three appearances, tossing three scoreless innings.
4. Boston Red Sox
Last Week: 3
World Series Championship Odds: +700
The Red Sox have a one-game edge in the AL East as they lost two of three on the road against the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle, and now it’s home to face Kansas City and Cleveland. Although the Red Sox hit just .215, Dustin Pedroia hit .308 with a homer and five RBIs, and on the mound, Chris Sale continues to roll. He won both of his starts and didn’t allow a run in 13.0 innings of work, striking out 20 and walking three.
5. Chicago Cubs
Last Week: 6
World Series Championship Odds: +700
The Cubs finally lead the NL Central, although only by a half-game, as they won two of three at home against St. Louis, then they’ve won two of the first three in a four-game home-and home with the White Sox. Next, the Cubs travel to Milwaukee and then it is back home for Arizona. Wilson Contreras hit .273 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the week. Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta combined to go 2-0 in three starts, and both had ERAs under 3.00 this week.
6. Cleveland Indians
Last Week: 5
World Series Championship Odds: +750
The Indians pace the AL Central by 1.5 games as they swept Toronto, then won a make-up game with Cincinnati and have won the first two of three with the Angels, all at home. The Indians will now head out on the road to take on the White Sox and Boston. Cleveland hit .328 at the plate this week, with Bradley Zimmer hitting .409 with two homers and 10 RBIs. Corey Kluber keeps racking them up as he struck out 14 Toronto batters over 7.2 innings in a win.
7. New York Yankees
Last Week: 6
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Yankees are behind Boston by a game in the AL East after winning three of four in Seattle, and then both home games with Cincinnati. Tampa Bay comes to town next and then Detroit will visit. Did Gregorius had a huge week, batting .500 with four home runs and six RBIs. Luis Severino led the Yankees on the mound as he won both of his starts, not allowing a run over 14.0 innings and he struck out 15 while walking three.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks
Last Week: 8
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
The Diamondbacks are 12.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West after losing two of three to Washington, but then they won two of three with Atlanta, both at home. Washington is on the road for the next week as they head to St. Louis and Chicago to take on the Cubs. J.D. Martinez had a solid debut week for the Diamondbacks after coming from Detroit, hitting .286 with three homers and seven RBIs. Patrick Corbin won both starts for Arizona this week, allowing three runs over 13.1 innings to lead the pitching staff.
9. Colorado Rockies
Last Week: 2500
World Series Championship Odds: +2200
The Rockies trail the Dodgers by 13.5 games after winning two of three at home against Pittsburgh, but then they were swept in St. Louis. Next, Colorado will head to Washington and then come home to host the New York Mets. Nolan Arenado hit .375 with two homers and nine RBIs as the Rockies hit .328 as a team. Colorado had a 6.38 ERA as a staff, but German Marquez and Kyle Freeland both picked up wins this week with ERAs of 3.00 or lower.
10. Kansas City Royals
Last Week: —
World Series Championship Odds: +3300
The Royals trail Cleveland by 1.5 games in the AL Central as they swept the White Sox at home and Detroit on the road, where they’ll be in Boston and Baltimore next. Eric Hosmer hit .407 with three homers and 10 RBIs for the week. Neftali Feliz, Kelvin Herrera and Scott Alexander all picked up wins in relief for the Royals, who had a 2.72 ERA.
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