MLB standings based on attendance growth from last year

If only MLB standings could reward the best fanbases in the sport. Well, in this case, we can.

As the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves lap the field in their respective leagues (American League and National League), we'll take a slightly different look at the MLB standings.

For one, throw out the records entirely. That is not important at this juncture. All that does matter is simple — do the fans in said city support the team, or not? Oh yes, if there were ever an indictment of a fanbase, this is it.

From one year to the next, attendance can change like night and day based on the roster moves said team makes in the offseason, or an unexpected turnaround. Thankfully, we have that info ready.

MLB standings based on attendance growth

AL East

1. Tampa Bay Rays – 24 percent growth
2. Baltimore Orioles – 22 percent growth
3. Toronto Blue Jays – 9 percent growth
4. New York Yankees – 3 percent growth
5. Boston Red Sox – 2 percent deficit

It shouldn't come as a shock that the Rays and Orioles have increased their attendance by a wide margin. Tampa Bay is the best team in the sport, and the Orioles have finally ended their rebuild, and are winning games at a consistent clip at Camden Yards.

AL Central

1. Cleveland Guardians – 27 percent growth
2. Minnesota Twins – 4 percent growth
3. Kansas City Royals – 2 percent growth
4. Detroit Tigers – 6 percent deficit
5. Chicago White Sox – 22 percent deficit

The Cleveland Guardians are routinely a winning team, but this season that attendance growth hasn't necessarily coincided with victories at Progressive Field. The Twins, who actually lead the division, have seen moderate growth year over year.

AL West

1. Texas Rangers – 17 percent growth
2. Houston Astros – 13 percent growth
3. Los Angeles Angels – 8 percent growth
4. Seattle Mariners – 1 percent growth
5. Oakland A's – 2 percent deficit

In this case, the standings basically match the overall records of each team. The Athletics are expected to move to Las Vegas in the next few seasons, and those low attendance numbers aren't helping matters. It's tough to blame any fanbase which has to deal with John Fisher as owner, though.

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies – 39 percent growth
2. Miami Marlins – 6 percent growth
3. New York Mets – 5 percent growth
4. Atlanta Braves – 0 percent growth
5. Washington Nationals – 14 percent deficit

The Phillies are fresh off a World Series appearance, so it's not a shocker that fans flock to the ballpark, especially since Bryce Harper's return. The Marlins finally have some fans, which is lovely to see, because they've been one of the best surprises of the season.

NL Central

1. Cincinnati Reds – 21 percent growth
2. Pittsburgh Pirates – 21 percent growth
3. Chicago Cubs – 3 percent growth
4. St. Louis Cardinals – 1 percent deficit
5. Milwaukee Brewers – 3 percent deficit

The Reds recently won 12 straight games, and packed the house at Great American Ballpark for a must-see series against the Atlanta Braves. They are the story in baseball right now. The Pirates were, at one point, the best team record-wise in the NL prior to a double-digit losing streak. Expect that number to decrease as the season goes along.

NL West

1. Arizona Diamondbacks – 9 percent growth
2. San Diego Padres – 8 percent growth
3. Los Angeles Dodgers – 1 percent growth
4. San Francisco Giants – 3 percent deficit
5. Colorado Rockies – 10 percent deficit

MLB Standings: American League standings based on attendance growth

1. Guardians
2. Rays
3. Orioles
4. Rangers
5. Astros
6. Blue Jays
7. Angels
8. Twins
9. Yankees
10. Royals
11. Mariners
12. Red Sox
13. A's
14. Tigers
15. White Sox

Unfortunately for Cleveland, this is not how the league standings actually look, but we can pretend. The Rays and Orioles have energized their respective fanbases with their winning ways. As for the Tigers and White Sox — hang in there.

MLB standings: National League standings based on attendance growth

1. Phillies
2. Reds
3. Pirates
4. Diamondbacks
5. Padres
6. Marlins
7. Mets
8. Cubs
9. Dodgers
10. Braves
11. Cardinals
12. Brewers
13. Giants
14. Rockies
15. Nationals

The Rockies and Nationals are in this for the long haul, as they are in the middle of respective rebuilds. Philadelphia, fresh off a World Series appearance, should be able to get fans out to the park. A second-half run would help matters, of course.