The year after having combined 298 wins, the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox are ready for an intense three – way race to the east of the LA, as we 're n & # 39; We have not seen it for a long time.

Indeed, the Yankees have a half-lead on the Rays after winning two of three games in the Bronx this weekend. The Red Sox will play four and a half games on Monday, but won 18 of 27 wins on seven losses of less than .500 on April 17.

It will be a war of wear because these three teams will fight each in the coming months. The Yankees and Rays face each other eight times in July and the Red Sox play a 13-game series against the other two.

Who knows what the situation will be at the end of the summer, but for now, sit back and enjoy the show.

Rays pitcher Ryne Stanek gets Yankees Clint Frazier to the plate. (Photo: Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports)

Here is how the panel of eight people from USA TODAY Sports voted this week:

RANK (last week's move)

1. Houston Astros (-)

  • We are already in mid-May and they already have two sets of 10 consecutive wins.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

  • Not quite old Clayton Kershaw, but five quality starts in his first six outings.

3. Rays of Tampa Bay (-)

  • Back from injury, Austin Meadows picked up where he left.

4. Minnesota Twins (-)

  • The first 17 games of Byron Buxton in May: .322 / .385 ./. 610, 3 HR.

5. New York Yankees (+1)

  • Aaron Hicks is back, which is huge with Brett Gardner in trouble.

6. Chicago Cubs (-2)

  • Cole Hamels (4-0, 3.13 ERA on nine starts) in full rebirth with the Cubs.

7. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

  • It's easy to forget how strong Cesar Hernandez is.

8. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

9. Boston Red Sox (-)

  • Looking back, we should not have been all hysterical about Chris Sale's tough start.

10. Atlanta Braves (+4)

  • Austin Riley making his presence felt immediately in the majors.

11. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)

  • Jarrod Dyson has a career year.

12. Cleveland Indians (+1)

  • Brad Hand got his first 12 chances of saving the season.

13. Cardinals of St. Louis (-3)

  • After torrid April, Paul Goldschmidt cooled: 1 HR, .684 OPS in first 62nd AB of May.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates (+2)

  • Josh Bell could be in a Triple Crown race this summer.

15. Padres of San Diego (-3)

  • The first 16 games of Manny Machado in May: .323 / .386 / .629, 5 HR.

16. Los Angeles Angels (+1)

  • Tommy La Stella had 10 career HR in 2019 – he has already broken his record this season.

17. Oakland Athletics (+1)

  • Khris Davis had only two circuits from April 14 to May 17.

18. Cincinnati Reds (+2)

  • The power of Jesse Winker was a pleasant surprise.

19. Colorado Rockies (-)

  • Fought eight left-handed starters in a row from May 7-17.

20. New York Mets (-5)

21. Washington Nationals (+2)

  • Maybe the return of Trea Turner will revive things in DC

22. Texas Rangers (-)

  • Willie Calhoun can (finally) be here to stay.

23. Chicago White Sox (+2)

  • Lucas Giolito has a 3.35 ERA with 50 strikeouts in eight starts.

24. Seattle Mariners (-3)

  • Since the beginning 13-2, the sailors are 10-24.

25. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)

  • Vlad Jr. broke out with four circuits last week.

26. Detroit Tigers (-2)

  • Closer Shane Green (15 vs. 15 in backup) was dominant.

27. San Francisco Giants (-)

  • Pablo Sandoval has 1,000 OPS through 83 bats.

28. Kansas City Royals (-)

  • Jorge Soler may never be a superstar, but he is thriving (10 HR) in a full-time role.

29. Baltimore Orioles (-)

  • The 5.55 EAR (out of 46 games) is the worst of the MLB.

30. Miami Marlins (-)

  • The team has an OPS lower than 0.600, which is … hard to do.

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