MLB Standings 2022: Yankees, Astros Are Top AL World Series Contenders

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros might be on their way to a third meeting in the ALCS over the last six years. The teams have the best records in the American League and have established themselves as the AL’s 2022 World Series favorites.

The Yankees are atop the overall MLB standings with a 23-8 record through 31 games. The Astros have catapulted up the standings with a 10-game winning streak, improving to 21-11.

As the hottest teams in baseball, the rivals are the only teams in the AL with better than 10/1 World Series odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. New York has +750 odds to win the 2022 championship. Houston has +950 odds after falling short in the 2021 World Series.

New York picked up its 16th victory in 18 tries Thursday night, clobbering the Chicago White Sox 15-7. On a rare night in which their pitching staff didn’t have it, the Yankees got home runs from Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson. Donaldson’s three-run homer capped off a seven-run eighth inning.

Judge leads MLB with 11 home runs. Stanton is second with 28 RBI. The Yankees are second in the AL in runs scored.

The Yankees are also second with a 2.75 ERA. New York fell behind Houston, which took over first place among AL pitching staffs with a 2.73 ERA by shutting out the first-place Minnesota Twins Thursday.

During their 10-game winning streak, the Astros have five shutouts. Houston last surrendered more than three runs in a game on April 29.

Justin Verlander looks primed to win another Cy Young award with a 1.55 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP in 40.2 innings. Cristian Javier has surrendered two earned runs and 17 baserunners in 21.1 innings.

Houston’s offense hasn’t been as productive as it was in recent seasons, but a few players are having standout seasons. Yordan Alvarez has 10 home runs and a .992 OPS. Rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena is doing his best Carlos Correa impression with a .853 OPS and a 2.3 WAR in 30 games.

The Astros have moved past the Los Angeles Angels for a half-game lead atop the AL West. The Angels have MLB’s best offense, led by Mike Trout’s eye-popping 1.188 OPS. Houston is 4-3 against Los Angeles this season.

The Yankees have a 4.5-game lead on the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. The Yankees are 6.5 games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays, which entered Opening Day as the AL World Series favorites. New York is 6-3 against Toronto.

The Yankees have outscored their opponents by an AL-best 60 runs.