2011 MLB Standings thru week 8

2011 MLB Standings after 8 weeks
By Keith Antigiovanni

The NL West has tightened after the first interleague series with Colorado at 2nd place with a 24-23 record 3 games out of first and Arizona in 3rd place at 24-24 and 3.5 games out.
The Dodgers (22-29) and Padres (19-30) are both starting to slide further back at 7 and 9 games out respectively.

The AL West is even tighter with the defending American League champion Texas Rangers (25-24) holding a half game lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (25-25).

Meanwhile over in the NL Central the St Louis Cardinals (30-20) are on an 8-1 streak and in first place 3 games up with the division rival Houston Astros at last place with a 18-31 record and 11.5 games behind.

The Cleveland Indians continue to lead the AL Central at 30-16 while the surprising Kansas City Royals remain in 3rd place at 22-25.

The "small market" Florida Marlins (27-19) are only 1 game out in the NL East while the Atlanta Braves (27-23) sit just behind them in 3rd place at 3 games out.

The other "small market" Florida team the Tampa Bay Rays (26-23) had a tough week and now trail the "big market" New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox but are only 1.5 games out and in good shape after almost two months into the season despite the predictions of complete failure.