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MLB division rankings: All six division standings by run differential

By Scott Roche

Apr 17, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Rays, Orlando Dreamers, MLB expansion
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – MAY 03: Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Tropicana Field on May 03, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

AL East standings based on run differential

1. Tampa Bay Rays – +138

2. New York Yankees – +44

3. Baltimore Orioles – +43

4. Toronto Blue Jays – +20

5. Boston Red Sox – -2

One of the more under-the-radar stats for this season so far is the Rays’ plus-139 run differential. They are 48-22 and own the best record in the league, but their offense has been impressive to go along with a work-man-like pitching staff. Manager Kevin Cash continues to excel with the “opener,” something that more teams have decided to try. It’s been working for some time now down in Tampa Bay.

The Yankees’ offense has been inconsistent this season but has struggled recently with Aaron Judge on the IL. They scored just seven runs over the weekend in dropping two out of three at home to the Red Sox and Anthony Rizzo is really struggling at the plate over the last couple of weeks. Anthony Volpe has gone from an American League Rookie of the Year candidate to possibly being sent to Triple-A. Pitching has remained one bright spot for New York.

Baltimore, currently in second place ahead of the Yankees, continues to find ways to win games and has taken advantage of the schedule in front of them. There is no reason they can’t find themselves in October baseball this season and should be active at the trade deadline. The Blue Jays are hanging around in the Wild Card standings despite the big troubles of pitcher Alek Manoah. They have an offense that can break out on any given night and they will have to slug their way to regular season wins, but it’s not a great recipe for postseason baseball.

The Red Sox are a team that looks good one night, then looks bad the next. Their defense has not been good, Kiké Hernandez has been a disaster at shortstop and their offense is not good enough to make up for inconsistent pitching on a lot of nights. Chris Sale is out until at least August and unless they are able to turn things around soon, they will be sellers at the trade deadline with some veteran pieces that could be attractive to other teams.

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