Every day, Pinstripe Alley offers updates on what the Yankees’ top American League opponents are up to through the Rivalry Roundup. The AL East is well-trodden ground there, but with the month of June coming to a close, we’re going to take a peek around MLB as a whole and check in with each of the other five divisions. Who’s surprising? Who’s underwhelming? Who’s simply mediocre at the moment? Read on and find out.

Top Position Player: Jeremy Peña (4.1 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Hunter Brown (3.0 fWAR)

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite a busy offseason that included a trade of three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, the Astros once again sit comfortably atop the AL West. Jeremy Peña appears to have taken a major step forward in his fourth big-league season, slashing .322/.378/.489 with 15 stolen bases while playing his typical Gold Glove-caliber defense at short (he did land on the IL Monday with a fractured rib, derailing his ascent for the time being).

The three players the Astros acquired for Tucker — Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith, and Hayden Wesneski — have accumulated 4.3 fWAR, improbably outpacing Tucker himself, who’s been worth 4.0 fWAR for Chicago. Josh Hader is yet to blow a save and Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez have formed one of the most effective one-two punches of any rotation in baseball. Brown has been particularly dominant; after a nine-strikeout, seven-inning scoreless performance his last time out, the 26-year-old leads all of baseball with a 1.74 ERA.

Houston’s continued propensity to turn over talent as their stars approach free agency has invigorated their roster and kept them at the top of the heap, 6.5 games up in the West.

Top Position Player: Cal Raleigh (5.6 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Bryan Woo (1.8 fWAR)

After years of frustrating mediocrity, the Mariners got off to a hot start this season in the wide-open AL West, sitting atop the division to start the month of June. That early success came on the strength of a reinvigorated offense, led by catcher Cal Raleigh, whose 32 homers and 69 RBI lead all of baseball. But now it’s the Mariners’ starting pitching, long seen as among the more fearsome units in baseball, that has stumbled. Bryce Miller, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, three young hurlers with promising early returns, have missed time to injury.

One of their primary replacements, former sixth-overall pick Emerson Hancock, has struggled, pitching to a 5.30 ERA while walking 27 in 71.1 innings. Gilbert and Kirby are now back, providing some much-needed relief to a rotation that’s been anchored by Bryan Woo, who has a sub-3.00 ERA and has been punching out nearly a batter an inning. Closer Andrés Muñoz has also been dominant, allowing just four earned runs in 31 innings.

In other words, there is reason for optimism. With improved health, the Mariners appear to have the pieces to make a run for the AL West crown.

Top Position Player: Zach Neto (1.4 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: José Soriano (2.1 fWAR)

After losing 99 games last season, the Angels have been something of a pleasant surprise this year. They’ve hung around .500 despite allowing 49 more runs than they’ve scored, suggesting they may be punching a bit above their weight. Zach Neto, the former first-rounder, is raking in his age-24 season, posting an .802 OPS (though the defensive metrics are split on his contributions at shortstop). After years of shuttling between the majors and Triple-A, Jo Adell seems to be fulfilling the talent that made him a consensus top-10 prospect, hitting 12 homers with a one-dot OPS in his last 27 games.

While José Soriano leads in fWAR, in large part because he’s allowed just four long balls in 97 innings, it’s Yusei Kikuchi who’s been the Angels’ clear ace. He has a 2.79 ERA and has struck out more than a batter per inning, though he’s allowed nearly one free pass every other inning. The rotation has been impressively healthy, with only five different pitchers drawing starts. That hasn’t necessarily translated to results, though — only three AL rotations have allowed more runs. As we enter July, the Angels will likely need to go on a tear to avoid being sellers at the deadline.

Top Position Player: Josh Smith (1.8 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Jacob deGrom (2.4 fWAR)

If the Angels have been a pleasant surprise, the Rangers have been a staggering disappointment. Their pitching staff, viewed as a weakness during their World Series run in 2023, has been the best in baseball — they lead MLB in starter ERA and are second in reliever ERA. Texas’ top three starters — Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Tyler Mahle — have combined for a 2.09 ERA through 43 starts.

Even Patrick Corbin, the long-maligned veteran who lost 63 decisions over the past four seasons in Washington, has been serviceable.

And yet, somehow, the Rangers have a losing record. An offense that was projected by many to be among baseball’s best has been dreadful, scoring the fourth-fewest runs in the game. Marcus Semien, the perennial All-Star, has been below league average by OPS+. So, too, has Adolis García, whose 39-homer 2023 feels like a fever dream. But, without question, the most disappointing hitter — not just in Texas but in all of baseball — has been Joc Pederson. Signed this offseason to DH and bring reliable thump to the heart of the Rangers’ order, the veteran hit .131 with a .238 slugging percentage through 146 plate appearances before going down with a broken hand a little over a month ago.

There have, however, been some recent signs of life. Since getting recalled from Triple-A at the start of June, Evan Carter has slashed .333/.421/.530. Semien hit over .300 with 13 extra-base hits in June. And, after missing some time to injury, Corey Seager is back and raking. With their pitching staff, if the Rangers’ offense can even hang around league average they should be a threat to make the postseason.

Last Place: Athletics (34-52)

Top Position Player: Jacob Wilson (2.8 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Luis Severino (1.3 fWAR)

After winning 20 of their first 36 games, the Athletics have retreated to what, as of late, has been a familiar perch in the AL West’s cellar. They’ve allowed 74 more runs than any other AL team and are creeping up on the Rockies’ MLB-worst mark with a 5.42 ERA. None of their top four starters has been even league average and Luis Severino, signed this offseason to the biggest contract in club history, leads the league in losses (nine), earned runs allowed (60), and hits allowed (110).

After a transcendent 2024, closer Mason Miller has been terrible, allowing 16 earned runs in 29 outings.

The bright spots, therefore, almost all reside on offense. Jacob Wilson is an instant star, hitting .338 with some extra-base pop while holding down third. After a hot start, Tyler Soderstrom has cooled off considerably but still looks like a legitimate major-league bat. Nick Kurtz has gone on a tear of late, clubbing 11 homers since May 20th. Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker, each given a sizable extension this offseason, have validated that decision. These are foundational pieces that should serve the A’s well going forward. But, for all intents and purposes, their 2025 is over.