MLB Standings 2019: Yankees, Red Sox Trying To Stay Out Of Last Place, Rays Lead AL, Brewers Lead NL

The New York Yankees (6-9) and Boston Red Sox (6-11) have been expected to battle for supremacy in the AL East throughout the 2019 MLB season. When the rivals meet for the first time this year, they’ll actually be fighting to staying out of last place.

New York and Boston start a two-game series Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees have lost their first three series of the season. The defending World Series champions have gotten off to an even worse start, and they are tied with the Toronto Blue Jays (6-11) for the worst record in the division.

The Baltimore Orioles (7-10) were projected to be the worst team in baseball, but they are in second place nearly three weeks into the season. Only the Kansas City Royals (5-11) have a worse record in the AL than Boston and Toronto.

The Tampa Bay Rays (12-4) are building up an early lead in the AL East. They’ve got the best record in baseball after a 90-win season in 2018. The Rays are MLB’s only team with a winning percentage north of .700.

The Seattle Mariners (13-6) have the second-best record in the AL. The Houston Astros (11-5) might be the best team in the AL. Houston has won nine straight games after sweeping the Yankees and Mariners in consecutive series.

The Milwaukee Brewers (11-6) have the best record in the NL. Milwaukee won the NL Central a year ago and was defeated by the Los Angeles Dodgers (10-8) in Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS.

Despite their hot start, L.A. finds itself in second place in the NL West. The Dodgers trail the San Diego Padres (11-7) by a game. San Diego is probably the most surprising division leader of the young season.

The NL East is as competitive as it was expected to be. The top four teams are separated by two games. The New York Mets (10-6) are a half-game ahead of both the Philadelphia Phillies (9-6) and Atlanta Braves (9-6) for first place.

The Miami Marlins (4-13) have the worst record in the league.