May 12 Standings: Athletics and Rangers Begin Last Place Avoidance Series, Astros Now Must Prove They Can Win Big Games Without Dallas Keuchel


Astros (24-11)

Right now, the Astros are just better. They have the best record in the American League. They have the best record on the road. They have the best record over the last 10 games. They have the best ace in Dallas Keuchel, something the Yankees discovered firsthand last night. However, if I may ask you to think back  to April 25, the Indians lost the first game in a series against the Astros with Keuchel on the mound. Then they won the series. The next three games at Yankees Stadium will show if the Astros can win big games behind someone other than Keuchel.

The box.

The Yankees need starting pitching depth, too. The New York Daily News says a Yankees vs. Astros bidding war is possible. Who will benefit? Probably the Chicago White Sox.

Mariners (17-18)

The mercurial Chris De Jong got knocked around again last night and the Mariners dropped their first game in the current road trip, losing to the Blue Jays. But when you click on the link to the box below, check out the top of that line up - batting average, OPS, power numbers. This team just needs some steady, decent starting pitching - not easy with your two best starters on the DL (Felix Hernandez and James Paxton).

The box.

Looks like Robinson Cano's injury lingers.  Here's something on the Mariners and the new record from The National. 

Athletics (16-18)

The A's climbed a spot in the standings without playing a game, although it's ironic justice in that the team that fell past them - the Angels - were a team the A's just took a series against. Whatever,. The A's are the strangest ball club I have ever followed, and I mean that in a good way. They sent Jharel Cotton back to the minors. It looks like Sean Manaea will be back soon. Meanwhile, as the Raiders abandon Oakland - while still asking them to come to games another year or two - the A's now are offering fans the best deal in baseball.

The  A's take on the Rangers in Arlington this weekend in the Last Place Avoidance Series.Supercool A's beat writer and possibly fellow Gen Xer Susan Slusser loves the new Blondie album 

Angels (17-20)

Even the return of Mike Trout - who went 0-for-4 - could not course correct the Angels current slide. Tigers starter Michael Fulmer gave up just one run in seven innings, and the Tigers jumped out to a 5-run lead in the first two innings that proved to be 3 more runs than they needed. The Angels are 3-7 in their last 10 games.

The box.

Starter J.C. Ramirez admits he's got some issues with the first inning.

Rangers (16-20)

The Rangers did what they needed to do - got back on track against a struggling, Triple-A-looking Padres club. Last night it was with a Mike Napoli walkoff homer. Now it's time to see if they can climb out of last at home against the wildly unpredictable A's, who have a 5-10 road record.

The box.

The Padres lament a come-from-ahead loss. 



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