Template:1972 AL East standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Tigers | 86 | 70 | .551 | — | 44–34 | 42–36 |
| Boston Red Sox | 85 | 70 | .548 | ½ | 52–26 | 33–44 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 80 | 74 | .519 | 5 | 38–39 | 42–35 |
| New York Yankees | 79 | 76 | .510 | 6½ | 46–31 | 33–45 |
| Cleveland Indians | 72 | 84 | .462 | 14 | 43–34 | 29–50 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 65 | 91 | .417 | 21 | 37–42 | 28–49 |