6 songs that best describe each division as the midway point approaches
If you weren't a little surprised by the standings in all six divisions in Major League Baseball, you're the only one.
Just like a feel-good flick, preseason longshots have emerged as playoff hopefuls as they simultaneously bump assumed contenders into obscurity. No underdog movie is complete, though, without a matching soundtrack.
Here are six songs that best describe the status of each division heading into the middle of the season:
AL East
My Way - Frank Sinatra
Nobody expected the New York Yankees to be this good, this fast. The Bronx Bombers have wreaked havoc on the AL East this season, but they've done it their way by mashing the second-most home runs in the majors. Though it looks like their division rivals, the Boston Red Sox, have finally caught up to them, the Yankees can still take the doubt, eat it up, and spit it out.
AL Central
Started From the Bottom - Drake
Man, remember when the Minnesota Twins were awful? It was only last season when the Twins were the absolute worst team in the league with a 59-103 record, yet those bad days seem so far away now. Minnesota completely erased its horrible memories by temporarily holding the top spot in the AL Central. Though they aren't there anymore, this season is already infinitely better than 2016.
AL West
Unstoppable - Sia
Is there a better way to describe the Houston Astros right now? The Astros are living up to preseason expectations and then some, currently owning a 12 1/2-game lead in the AL West, and becoming the first team in the entire majors to 50 wins this season. Lyrics like, "Yeah, I win every single game" may not be entirely true, but they're not far off.
NL East
Closer - The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
With each and every game, the Washington Nationals are quickly pulling themselves closer to another NL East title. With nobody other than the Nationals even above .500 in the division, it doesn't look like anyone will slow them down, though the song's title also represents the one glaring flaw in Washington's roster, as Dusty Baker has already mentioned.
NL Central
Bounce Back - Big Sean
This was not the start of the season the Chicago Cubs envisioned for themselves. The reigning World Series champions have struggled to keep their heads above .500 all season, but somehow still only sit 1 1/2 games back in second in the NL Central. Their recent struggles may be a thing of the past now, however, thanks in part to the performance of their new leadoff man, Anthony Rizzo.
NL West
What Happened to U - Usher
The San Francisco Giants are bad. Like, really bad. Perennial contenders in the NL West, the Giants are completely unrecognizable this season despite fielding a roster nearly identical to the 2016 team that finished 87-75. To drive the point home, the San Diego Padres, widely expected to be horrible as they rebuild entirely, are three whole games ahead of the Giants in the division. Yikes.