It’s only makes sense that the many of the hottest clubs in baseball are also sitting atop their respective divisions. But the rest on this list of eight are making strong pushes to get there.
8. Miami Marlins
When Dee Gordon was tagged in late April with an 80-game suspension due to PED use, the logical assumption was that it would severely hamper the Marlins’ chances of contention. Up to now, it hasn’t. Two of their regulars in the starting lineup — Martin Prado and Christian Yelich — are among the top ten in batting average. Jose Fernandez already has nine wins and 118 strikeouts as Miami, winners in seven of its past ten games, vaults into second place in the NL East. All of this, despite a less-than-stellar season from Giancarlo Stanton.
7. New York Yankees
For a certain generation of Yankees fans not used to anything less than dominance, an opening month that saw New York sink below .500 and into last place was the equivalent of total disaster. Instead of cratering, the Yanks are thriving. Since May 18, the record is 19-12. Resurgent C.C. Sabathia is 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA in June. This, after a 1.04 ERA during May. The bullpen has lived up to expectations — with Aroldis Chapman posting 13 saves since his return from suspension. As for Carlos Beltran (18 homers, 48 RBIs), he certainly doesn’t have the look of a 39 year old.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
If the Jays are going to repeat as AL East champs, they’ll have to withstand a more talented division than the previous year. The Orioles, Yankees and Red Sox won’t be going away any time soon. Toronto got off on the wrong foot with a sub-par April. But over the past 30 games, the Jays are 10 above .500. Reigning MVP Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion have powered a lineup that has produced 337 runs and 104 homers. Pitching continues to be weak, although Marco Estrada’s emergence as the ace of the starting staff is a pleasant surprise.
5. Texas Rangers
The closest thing we have to “cardiac kids” in baseball resides in Arlington. With Texas’ 5-4 win in St. Louis on Sunday, it marked the Rangers’ third consecutive one-run victory. And in games that finish with the narrowest of margins, they are 16-4. The trade last July to get veteran starter Cole Hamels — who’s allowed three runs over his previous three starts — is still paying off. Colby Lewis is among the AL leaders with a 2.81 ERA, while Rougned Odor proves he has as much punch at the plate (13 HRs) as he does in the field. Already holding an 8.5-game lead over Seattle, the AL West is theirs to run away with.
From @SlangsOnSports: Since May 6, TEX has best MLB record at 29-11; best AL starters’ ERA at 3.38; Desmond 2nd-highest MLB average, .363.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 19, 2016
4. Chicago Cubs
To date, no team is on the level of the Cubs. Joe Maddon’s team began at a blistering 25-6 clip to take complete control of the NL Central. The World Series favorite is playing like it, with Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo heading an imposing lineup and Jake Arrietta continuing to be his superhuman self. Considering the spread they’ve place between them and the rest of the division, the Cubs don’t need to be hot from here on out — they just need to be average.
3. Kansas City Royals
You really didn’t think they were going away, did you? Even with the loss of Mike Moustakas (for the rest of the year) and Alex Gordon (for not as long), the Royals — as they are known to do — still find ways to win. Eric Hosmer carries the offense — leading the club in homers (12), RBIs (44), and batting average (.314). He proved to be a key contributor during a four-game stretch that spanned last weekend, as K.C. plated 39 runs. Despite a mediocre rotation and a weakened bullpen, the Royals are on the verge of snatching first place for the Cleveland Indians.
2. Washington Nationals
Credit Dusty Baker for firing up a Nats team (now at 43-27) that lacked energy for most of 2015. His winning, player-friendly attitude is a refreshing change in D.C., as is the addition of Daniel Murphy. Last year’s NLCS MVP in New York, Murphy leads the NL in batting average at .358 to complement Bryce Harper in the middle of the order. Stephen Strasburg, meanwhile, has made good on his once-lofty potential. Sporting an ERA of 2.90 and having tallied 118 strikeouts, the former No. 1 pick is unbeaten in 14 starts.
1. San Francisco Giants
Winners of eight straight and 27 of their last 35, the Giants continue to show signs of another postseason run — similar to that of 2010, 2012, and 2014. We all know how those three trips turned out. Hunter Pence’s injury has yet to be felt, and can easily be masked so long as Buster Posey and a bevy of strong arms maintain momentum. The two key off-season acquisitions, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, have combined for 18 victories and an ERA below 3.00.