MLB Divisional Wrap-Up 8/9

As this new week starts, we wrap up a rivalry series that always draws a crowd.  The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees have just finished a four game series in the Bronx.  This series had it all from the weird, as in Alex Rodriguez being hit by a Lance Berkman line drive, to the milestones, such as A-Rod's 300 career steal.  Even with all of this going on, both teams managed to come out of the series with two wins.

AL East

The young Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price put on a performance today when he struck out 9 in five innings as the Rays top the Tigers 6-3.  With a win against the Tigers, the Rays take advantage of the Yankees loss and gain a game in the divisional race and are now only down 1 1/2 games.

Team Record       GB

Yankees 69-42         -

Rays  68-44        1.5

Red Sox  64-49        6.0

Blue Jays  59-52        10.0

Orioles  38-74  31.5

AL Central

The White Sox took on the last place Baltimore Orioles today in Baltimore for a great Monday afternoon game.  Even though the White Sox jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, the Orioles got last laugh as Brian Roberts sent all Orioles fans happy with a walk off home run in the bottom of the tenth inning.

Team        Record       GB

White Sox  63-49  -

Twins  63-49  -

Tigers  54-58  9

Indians  47-65  16

Royals  47-65  16

AL West

With Cliff Lee not performing like they had hoped, The Rangers are still in the drivers seat in the AL West division.  They can thank Josh Hamilton for the success as he is having a spectacular season.  Hamilton is batting .355 with 24 home runs and 77 runs batted in.

Team        Record       GB

Rangers  64-57  -

Athletics  56-55  8

Angels  57-57  8.5

Mariners  43-70  22

NL East

The Atlanta Braves have hit an on/off bump in their season.  They were handed a loss to the Astros 10-4 tonight at Minute Maid Park.  Troy Glaus has also been in a slump over the last month and a half after going on a tear in June.

Team         Record       GB

Braves  64-48  -

Phillies  62-49  1.5

Mets  55-56  8.5

Marlins  54-56  9

Nationals  49-63  14

NL Central

The division leading Cincinnati Reds met up with the second place St. Louis Cardinals tonight on Monday Night Baseball.  The Cardinals handily beat the Reds in Great American Ballpark 7-3.  This was the start of a series that will change the standings in the NL Central race.

Team         Record      GB

Reds  64-49  -

Cardinals  62-49  1

Brewers  53-60  11

Astros  48-63  15

Cubs  47-64  16

Pirates  39-72  24

NL West

With only one game played today in this division, the Arizona Diamondbacks take advantage of the chance and gain a game on all teams as the beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4.

Team         Record       GB

Padres       64-46         -

Giants  63-49         2

Rockies  58-53  6.5

Dodgers  58-54  7

D-Backs  44-69  21.5