AL West Week 6 in Review: Lone Star Rising as Astros, Rangers Take Top Spots

The Astros ended the week much like they began it: winning. They took three out of four from the Yankees in the Bronx, winning with Charlie Morton on the mound in the final game. They swept a two-game series against the Braves on Tuesday and Wednesday, going 5-1 for the week. At 26-12, the Astros have the best record in all of Major League Baseball. In the AL West, they are 7 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Rangers and it's just May 15.  Click on Keep Reading for notes and links.

Astros (26-12)

In addition to what you just read above, the Astros also have the third best staff ERA in MLB (3.57), and 7th best FIP (3.82). On offense, they are second in the league in hits (355), fifth in home runs (51), fourth in RBIs (180). second in team batting average (.274) and fourth in OPS (.785),

Yankees 11, Astros 6

Astros 10, Yankees 7

The Hardball Times ranks the best Astros players of all time.

Rangers (19-20)

One week ago the Rangers were dead last, had just lost a series to the Astros and another one to the Mariners. That Monday night on May 8, they lost 5-1 to the Padres in San Diego. Things seemed  bleak. The Rangers haven't lost since, taking three in a row from the Padres and sweeping the A's at home over the weekend in the Last Place Avoidance Series.

Rangers 6, Athletics 4

Looks like the Rangers are in Arlington at least another 30 years. 

Angels (19-21)

With all the excitement over the Astros and disbelief over the Rangers grabbing most of the attention (mine, anyway), the Angels quietly salvaged a split by beating the Tigers in Los Angeles on Sunday. The Angels earlier in the week lost a series in Oakland. As has been the case all season, the Angels...abide. Not too far below .500, never too far out of it, but never surging far above .500, either.

Angels 4. Tigers 1

Mike Trout continues to be on fire, while Alex Meyer pitched his best game of the season. 

Mariners (17-21)

A week on the road started well enough for the Mariners, with two wins in Philadelphia. But then the wheels came off in Toronto, where the Mariners were swept in a four-game series against the Blue Jays. Plus they got nothing but bad news on injuries.

Blue Jays 3, Mariners 2

It was, indeed, an awful weekend.

Athletics (16-21)

After winning a series against the Angels, the A's looked poised to make a run at second place. But, no. After getting swept by the Rangers in Arlington, the A's are tied with the Royals for the worst record in the American League. Some consolation: the Giants are worse, at 15-24.

Rangers 6, Athletics 4

At least the new stadium issue is providing A's fans some excitement. 



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