MLB Standings: Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros Could Be On Course For 2019 World Series Matchup

The Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series, putting on one of the most exciting Fall Classics in recent memory. This year could very well produce a rematch, considering how good both teams have looked nearly one-third of the way into the regular season.

Houston (29-15) is atop the MLB standings with a .659 winning percentage, looking every bit like the 2019 World Series favorites. No one in the National League has a better record than Los Angeles (29-16), who is the best team in the NL for a third straight season.

The Astros are already running away in the AL West, where they’ve got an eight-game lead over the Seattle Mariners (22-24). Houston is on an eight-game winning streak to go along with 11 wins in their last 12 games, and they are doing it with both great hitting and pitching.

Josh Reddick leads the AL with a .333 batting average. George Springer is first with 16 home runs and 40 RBI, possibly leading the way in the MVP race. Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and Michael Brantley all have an OPS over .900.

After leading the AL in ERA last season, the Astros rank second in that category. The Astros' pitchers are first with a .203 batting average against. Justin Verlander is as reliable of an ace as anyone with a 2.38 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP.

The Tampa Bay Rays (26-15) and Minnesota Twins (28-15) are the other two AL division leaders. Houston is thought to be a much more legitimate World Series contender than either club.

The Dodgers are in a much more competitive division, but it’s one that they continue to dominate. L.A. leads the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks (24-20) by 4.5 games, looking for their seventh straight NL West title.

Cody Bellinger has easily been MLB’s best player. The third-year player is first in the majors with a .401 batting average, a .481 on-base percentage, a .770 slugging percentage, 41 RBI and an incredible 4.4 WAR. Bellinger leads the NL’s No.1 ranked offense with Joc Pederson and Alex Verdugo also posting an OPS north of .900.

L.A. is third in the NL with a 3.51 ERA. They’ve got the league’s best rotation even with Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler combining to pitch to a somewhat disappointing 3.80 ERA in the early going.

The Chicago Cubs (25-16) and Philadelphia Phillies (24-19) are the other two NL division leaders.