MLB Standings 2019: Yankees, Astros, Twins Competing For AL's Top Record, Dodgers Are NL's Best Team

The New York Yankees (47-27) defeated the Houston Astros (48-28) 10-6 Thursday night in the Bronx, taking the first contest of a four-game series. The victory put the Yankees percentage points ahead of the Astros in the overall 2019 MLB standings as the clubs battle for the American League’s best record.

It’s currently a three-team race atop the AL. The Minnesota Twins (48-26) are actually a game ahead of the Yankees and Astros. One of those three division leaders is likely to enter the playoffs with home-field advantage until the World Series.

Minnesota has a major advantage in the AL Central, leading the Cleveland Indians (39-35) by nine games. The Texas Rangers (40-35) are hanging around in the AL West, though Houston is the heavy favorite with a 7.5-game lead. New York could be fighting to stay atop a competitive AL East all season long.

The Yankees are 4.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays (43-32) and seven games in front of the Boston Red Sox (41-35). New York has dominated both rivals, sweeping Tampa Bay earlier this week to give themselves a combined 11-3 record against the Rays and Red Sox.

Houston swept New York in a three-game series earlier this season.

The trade deadline could ultimately decide which team ends the season with the most wins in the AL. They are looking to make upgrades, though the Yankees’ lineup has already gotten significantly more dangerous this week. New York traded for AL home run leader Edwin Encarnacion just before 2017 NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton and 2017 AL MVP runner-up Aaron Judge came back from the injured list.

All three AL teams are behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (51-25) in the standings. L.A. owns the best record in baseball, and they’ve proven to be the clear World Series favorites.

After reaching the Fall Classic in two straight years, the Dodgers might have their best team. Cody Bellinger has been the top player in the majors, ranking first in MLB with a .358 batting average and a 6.2 WAR. Hyun-Jin Ryu leads all starters with an incredible 1.26 ERA to go along with just five walks in 93 innings.

The Dodgers lead the NL with a .819 OPS and a 3.20 team ERA. Los Angeles has outscored its opponents by 127 runs. The Chicago Cubs (41-33) are second in the NL with a plus-66 run differential.

Chicago has the NL’s third-best record, trailing Los Angeles by nine games. The Dodgers are 6.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves (44-31), who are making a bid to repeat as NL East champions.

The Dodgers have a 10-game lead over the Colorado Rockies (40-34) in the NL West. They are likely going to win their seventh straight division championship.