The MLB standings continue to see action every single day as we approach the last month of baseball's regular season. Over in the American League, the Boston Red Sox put a hurting on a division rival. In the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals are letting everybody know who truly belongs at the top of their division.
A.L. East: Boston Red Sox Gain a Game
Shane Victorino must really, really be sick of finishing anywhere outside of first place. The Flyin' Hawaiian went 3-5 with two home runs and seven RBI against the Baltimore Orioles. This is good news for the Red Sox as they are helping themselves to the max. Not only are they pushing away a second threat in the division, but with their win, they were able to gain a game on the Tampa Bay Rays, who suffered a close, 5-6, loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
N.L. Central: Red Birds Rule
After a dramatic 8-5 victory behind an Allen Craig home run on Monday, the Cardinals dropped their flair for dramatics and went right at the Cincinnati Reds. They won 6-1, gaining a game on the Reds. Like the Red Sox, they expanded their lead against a third-place team and they moved further away from the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates. While the Pirates celebrated their most recent purchase, Marlon Byrd, the Milwaukee Brewers enjoyed playing spoiler, deafting the Bucs, 7-6.
N.L. West: Dodging Snakes
The Los Angeles Dodgers had their best pitcher on the mound, but the best pitcher on Tuesday was Travis Wood. The Cubs' lefty allowed just one unearned run, on five hits, walked two and struck out six. He outdueled baseball's best as Kershaw went only 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on three walks, seven hits and nine strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 1.72. With the loss matched with a D'backs victory, the Dodgers' lead is down to 8.5 games. Nothing to panic about, but it's a reminder that no lead is safe, especially entering the month of September.
N.L. East/A.L. Central: Wood, E. Johnson Shuts Down Tribe Helping Tigers
All Alex Wood needed was a two-run triple in the second inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians. The good news for the Detroit Tigers is that their lead is still intact despite losing to the Oakland Athletics.
A.L. West: Rangers Hang On to Keep Lead
Not only did they hang on for their 4-3 win against the Seattle Mariners, in the process the Texas Rangers remained 2.5 games above the Oakland A's in the divisional standings.
