Like any self-respecting baseball fan, I don’t actively take a good look at the MLB standings until the first week of June.
Normally it would be on June 1st. However, with this season’s later start, the reveal was pushed back to the first weekend in June.
For the second year in a row, I made a quick reaction video. It’s a fun way to react to taking a look at the standings for the first time in 2022.
AL East
I’ve made no attempts to hide the fact that I’m a lifelong Blue Jays fan. So, the Al East is the division I am most familiar with. Like most people, I didn’t anticipate the Yankees being the juggernaut that they have been so far. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has solidified their defense. Aaron Judge is looking like a front-line MVP candidate and the pitching has been lights-out.
The Jays didn’t get off to the start many thought they would but have been on a tear lately. The Rays have relied on the newest wave of young players to keep them in the race. The Red Sox have yet to get going and the Orioles, while still in last place, have been a tougher team to play against this year than recent previous versions.
AL Central
What’s with the AL Central? Last year this division had one winning team, the White Sox, and they were eliminated with relative ease by the Houston Astros in the ALDS. This year, same thing, one winning team, but it’s the Minnesota Twins. Their trade with the Yankees for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela has proven to be beneficial for both teams, Byron Buxton has been able to stay healthy and the pitching has been better than expected.
The White Sox have been unable to match their form from 2021 but are still in this mediocre race. Cleveland has a new team name, the Guardians, and a couple of new contributors, Steven Kwan and Owen Miller have made them more exciting, if not more successful. The inability of the Tigers and Royals to rise to contenders has exacerbated the malaise of this group.
AL West
I expected the Houston Astros to, once again, be the dominant team in this division. What I didn’t expect was for Jeremy Peña to be one of the best players in the American League as a rookie. That’s exactly what’s happened as Peña looks like a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year and helped the Astros fans forget about Carlos Correa.
Seattle was a trendy pre-season pick but they have somehow gotten worse after adding Robbie Ray, Eugenio Suárez, Jesse Winker, and Adam Frazier to a team that won 90 games in 2021. The Angels seem to be making their trek towards irrelevancy later than usual, while the Rangers with their new-look middle infield and the breakout of Martin Perez, have been much improved. If you’re surprised by the Athletics being also-rans, then may God help you.
NL East
After another busy off-season, the New York Mets have backed up the hype and have the look of a World Series contender. Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt have improved the pitching staff, the revamped outfield has produced, and Buck Showalter seems like the perfect skipper for this team.
Mets’ Max Scherzer bit by dog while on the mend, downplays incidenthttps://t.co/74v3Qmn8Zo
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 5, 2022
The other teams in this division, including the defending World Series champions, Atlanta Braves, have yet to get on track. The Phillies have been one of the most disappointing teams over the last few years, and it’s cost Manager Joe Girardi his job. Miami has used a slew of veteran signings to become more competitive while Juan Soto remains a star stuck on a bad team in Washington.
NL Central
Don’t feel too bad, AL Central, the National version stinks too! This was expected to be a soft, two-team race and that’s exactly how it’s played out. The Milwaukee Brewers are the class of this division, have elite pitching, and a homer-happy offense.
The Cardinals have been a solid team over the past couple of years. This year they seem more suited for a wild card spot than a division title. Pittsburgh has one of the most-improved teams and features one of the best bullpens in baseball. The Cubs are in the midst of a rebuild, and the Reds are basically the NL version of the A’s.
NL West
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most consistent winners recently and this year is no different. San Francisco actually won this division in 2021. The Giants have their work cut out for them to get back in the race.
It’s the Padres who have been closest in L.A.’s rearview mirror this season. Manny Machado is a leading NL MVP favorite, and Mackenzie Gore has added youthful energy to a beleaguered pitching staff. Arizona tied for the worst record in MLB last year. The D’Backs have turned things around thanks to pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen. The Rockies have tumbled since a hot start and must be looking forward to Kris Bryant returning to their lineup.
Thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed it! Check out more of my articles here and other Belly Up content here. Follow me on Twitter here.
