One promising trend for every American League team

Even the dregs of the American League — we're looking at you, Baltimore Orioles, A's and Chicago White Sox — can revel in a little good news.

With roughly a third of the regular season completed, Yardbarker MLB writers identify a promising trend for every AL team. (Records and statistics are through Monday's play.) 

AL East 

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (19-34) | A three-game winning streak | They haven’t built much momentum this season, so it’s nice for Orioles fans to see the O's put together a small winning streak against division rival Boston and red-hot St. Louis. A season turnaround feels improbable, but they have to take what they can get.

BOSTON RED SOX (27-29) | The continued dominance of pitcher Garrett Crochet | Crochet is living up to the hype in his first season in Boston, with his most recent outing against the Milwaukee Brewers resulting in 11 strikeouts over 6.2 innings. The southpaw’s 2.04 ERA has him firmly in the Cy Young discussion. 

NEW YORK YANKEES (33-20) | Reliever Devin Williams is finding his groove | Remember how poorly Williams started the season? The seven-year veteran reliever has not allowed a run in his past seven appearances (10 K's in 6.1 innings during that span) as he acclimates to a set-up role behind closer Luke Weaver. 

TAMPA BAY RAYS (27-26) | A six-game winning streak few are talking about | The Rays don’t normally get a lot of attention, but they’ve quietly taken over second behind the Yankees. They could be New York’s biggest threat the rest of the way.  

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (26-27) | The emergence of OF Nathan Lukes | Lukes’ Blue Jays legend grew with a walk-off single against the San Diego Padres on May 22, a day after he hit a two-run home run to help seal another win. If the Blue Jays aren’t going to receive production from right fielder Anthony Santander (.594 OPS), a free-agent signee, Lukes will become that much more important. — Seth Carlson

AL West  

ATHLETICS (23-31) | Pitcher Jeffrey Springs rounding into form | The talented but oft-injured Springs has been the A’s best pitcher in May. He has a 2.05 ERA and 0.848 WHiP in 30.2 innings this month, striking out 20 with seven walks. The A’s have an AL-worst 6.21 ERA in May, so Springs’ resurgence has come at the perfect time. 

HOUSTON ASTROS (28-25) | 3B Isaac Paredes is having a career year | As the Astros look to keep their window of contention open during a transition, Paredes has become a revelation. He leads the Astros with 11 homers, 31 RBI and a 145 OPS+ and is having an outstanding May (.306/.398/.600 batting line, seven HRs in 98 plate appearances). 

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (25-28) | SS Zach Neto emerging as a potential All-Star | Manager Ron Washington has begun working his magic with the younger players, including Neto, who's showing the most progress. He has followed a strong 2024 with a breakout season, posting a .283/.324/.551 batting line with nine homers and 10 doubles in 148 plate appearances. Plus, he has eight stolen bases. 

SEATTLE MARINERS (29-23) | Lineup finally providing support for pitching staff | The team's biggest issue in recent seasons has been an anemic offense that has squandered impressive pitching. That has not been the case this season, as the Mariners are 10th in the majors in runs (238), sixth in homers (70) and 11th in OPS (.722). 

TEXAS RANGERS (26-29) | Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi continues to defy Father Time | Eovaldi may be the front-runner for the AL Cy Young. The 35-year-old is having a career year, posting a 1.60 ERA and a big-league-leading 0.787 WHiP in 67.1 innings with 71 K's and only nine walks. — David Hill

AL Central  

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (17-37) | White Sox as a whole showing progress | The White Sox are not going to contend for a playoff berth for a while, but progress is being made. Third baseman Miguel Vargas (seven HRs), infielder Chase Meidroth (.296 BA) and pitchers Shane Smith (2.36 ERA) and Davis Martin (3.45 ERA) have emerged as building blocks. 

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (29-24) | 1B Carlos Santana heating up with the weather | The Guardians needed someone to step up in the lineup, and Santana has done just that in May. The 39-year-old has a .262/.410/.492 batting line in 83 plate appearances this month, with four homers, three doubles and 20 RBI. 

DETROIT TIGERS (35-20) | New position, new Javier Baez | Baez’s resurrection may be one of the bigger surprises of the season. The new center fielder is one of the Tigers’ better players, producing a .286/.321/.468 batting line with six homers and 10 doubles in his 160 plate appearances. 

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (29-26) | Lineup shows signs of life | Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and third baseman Maikel Garcia are the best hitters, but the rest of the lineup has started to perform. The Royals have a .268/.314/.407 batting line and are 13th in the majors with a .721 OPS for May. 

MINNESOTA TWINS (29-24) | Utilityman Kody Clemens white hot since heading to Minnesota | The acquisition of Clemens from the Phillies for cash considerations barely made a ripple in the baseball universe. But that deal has been a steal as Clemens has posted a .291/.381/.636 batting line with four homers and five doubles in 57 plate appearances; his 1.181 OPS is May is second in the majors, trailing only Yankees superstar Aaron Judge. — David Hill