The MLB Standings have seen consistencies throughout the season as the same teams have remained in first place in the month of June. The standings saw a shift in the A.L. West as the Oakland Athletics surprised the struggling Texas Rangers by taking first place in the middle of the past week. Here are the division leaders and their closest competitors.
A.L. East: Boston Red Sox (42-29), Baltimore Orioles (40-30) 1.5 GB
The Red Sox and Orioles went head-to-head this past weekend. Boston has scuffled in the past 10 games sitting at a neutral 5-5. Three of those recent loses came at the hands of the Orioles as the two hooked up in a four-game series that saw the Orioles win 3 of 4 games. With Jon Lester struggling, look for the Red Sox to need some extra arms in their pitching rotation.
A.L. Central: Detroit Tigers (38-29), Cleveland Indians (34-34) 4.5 GB
The Tigers are almost red hot. They have won 7 of 10 and are fresh off a victory against the Minnesota Twins. Little by little, the Tigers are gaining momentum and building a lead over the Indians who have only won 4 of the last 10 games. The Tigers' Austin Jackson is back in the lineup and he can provide some speed at the top of the lineup.
A.L. West: Oakland A's (42-29), Texas Rangers (38-31) 3 GB
The Rangers have lost all momentum and they don't know what it feels like to win. In fact, the Rangers only won a game last week and they played baseball every day of the week. They lost six straight games and the Athletics haven't hesitated, sweeping the Yankees and winning 6 of 10 games.
N.L. East: Atlanta Braves (41-28), Washington Nationals (34-34) 6.5 GB
They have been in complete control of the division for what feels like the entire 2013 season. The Braves, however, have struggled as of late and were swept by the San Diego Padres at the beginning of the week. They salvaged their week after winning 2 of 3 against the San Francisco Giants.
N.L. Central: St. Louis Cardinals (44-36), Cincinnati Reds (42-28) 2.5 GB, Pittsburgh Pirates (41-28) 3 GB
Welcome to the toughest division in baseball as the Cardinals, Reds and Pirates are making baseball interesting in the Central division. All three teams have won 6 of 10; however, the Cardinals lost on Sunday, allowing the Reds and Pirates to gain a game in the division. The Cardinals still have the best record in the majors despite their recent loss.
N.L. West: Arizona Diamondbacks (37-32), Colorado Rockies (37-33) .5 GB, San Francisco Giants (35-33) 1.5 GB, San Diego Padres (35-34) 2 GB
While the Central has the toughest teams in the league, the West is probably the toughest division to play in. The Padres just entered contention as they have won six straight games and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Diamondbacks are struggling, having lost three straight games, allowing the Rockies to gain some ground in the standings. The Giants lost two of three against the Braves, but, luckily, they didn't lose ground. The Los Angeles Dodgers stand as the only N.L. West team not in contention as they are 7.5 games back.