With April coming to an in depth, we’re a full month-plus into the 2026 season — which suggests the occasions of the previous month are value analyzing. Positive, it’s simply one-sixth of the common season, however loads of traits have already begun to take form.
Let’s check out present division leaders and attempt to mission what the postseason subject may appear like come October. Notice, all stats beneath exclude the shortened 2020 season and as an alternative take a look at full seasons for the impression and postseason implications.
What it means to be in first (or final) place
Since 1996 — the primary full season with at the very least one Wild Card in every league after the ‘95 marketing campaign was restricted to 144 video games — 88 of 174 eventual division champions held at the very least a share of their division lead getting into Might 1. That’s 51 p.c of division winners.
Take word, Yankees, Tigers, Guardians, A’s, Braves, Reds and Dodgers followers — these groups are our present division leaders heading into Might.
Final season, two of the six division winners had a share of that lead on Might 1. Within the American League, the Mariners gained their division, whereas the Yankees and Tigers, who led the AL East and Central, respectively, getting into Might, didn’t. Each nonetheless made it as a Wild Card. Within the NL, the Dodgers gained their division, however the Mets and Cubs, who led the East and Central, respectively, getting into Might, didn’t. The Cubs nonetheless made the playoffs as a Wild Card, whereas the Mets missed out totally.
Since 1996, 18 of the 29 World Collection winners, excluding 2020, led their divisions getting into Might. The Dodgers did so in ‘25, as famous above.
This 12 months, the defending champion Dodgers are in first place getting into Might. How uncommon is that? Rarer than you may assume. Of every of the 29 groups to win the World Collection since 1996 and play in April the following 12 months, the Dodgers are simply the eleventh to search out themselves in first place via April that subsequent 12 months. The final reigning World Collection winners to be in first getting into Might earlier than the Dodgers every of the final two years have been the 2018 Astros.
What in regards to the last-place groups? There’s loads of season left, and it’s value maintaining hope. In 2024, the Astros grew to become the primary staff to be in final place getting into Might and go on to win their division because the 2015 Blue Jays and Rangers. General since 1996, 13 groups have had at the very least a share of final place in a division getting into Might, then gone on to make the playoffs that season. Of these, seven have been division winners and 6 have been Wild Playing cards.
Of this 12 months’s present NL division leaders getting into Might, every has had at the very least a share of that lead getting into Might at the very least one different time because the begin of 2024 besides the Reds. They have been final on this spot getting into Might in 2006, once they have been tied on the prime with the Cardinals. Their final sole possession getting into Might was in 2002. Within the AL, the Yankees and Tigers have been on this spot final 12 months, the Guardians in ‘24 and the A’s in 2021.
The Guardians and Dodgers every gained their divisions final season, whereas the Yankees did in 2024 and the Braves in ‘23. Past that, it’s been some time. The Tigers final gained the division in 2014, the A’s in 2013 and the Reds final did so in 2012.
The most important division lead proper now belongs to the Braves, at 6 1/2 video games. That’s tied with the 2012 Rangers for the third-largest division lead getting into Might since divisional play started in 1969. Solely the 2001 Mariners (9 video games) and 1977 Dodgers (7 1/2) led by extra.
A caveat value noting, nonetheless, is that this season featured the earliest home Opening Day in MLB historical past, and till comparatively lately, seasons began as soon as April had already begun. Meaning the Braves obtained extra video games to construct their lead than the others on the listing. Nonetheless spectacular, however vital context. The Braves have performed 32 video games. 9 groups have led their divisions by greater than 6 1/2 video games via their thirty second recreation of a season, with the latest being the 2016 Cubs.
There’s loads of baseball but to be performed, however followers of the seven present division leaders can take some solace in the truth that traditionally, about half of these groups will go on to win these divisions. And for followers of non-leading groups? Effectively, nearly 50/50 means there’s loads of room for a distinct staff to take these division crowns, too.
