Not all MLB divisions can be treated equally. During this 2023 season, we've seen plenty of divisions drastically improve and decline. Enjoy every MLB division ranked!
No. 6: AL Central
One of the best ways to judge a division is by how good its first-place team is. But when the first-place team struggles to stay above the .500 mark, it is hard to rank the division highly. The Twins, who sit atop the AL Central, are the only team in the division to win more games than lost. The ever-mediocre Guardians are 4.5 games behind them, followed by the dead-end Detroit Tigers. Just a game and a half behind the Tigers, the underachieving White Sox. Finally, in dead last is the Royals, who have been none other than a dumpster fire this season. The AL Central consists of mostly mediocre teams, including the team in first, who will likely become an afterthought once the playoffs roll around.
No. 5: NL Central
The NL Central has changed throughout the season more than any other division has. But it is currently one of the League's weakest. The red-hot Reds are the new commanders of this division, yet they still have a negative point differential. That is a big red flag for a team sitting in first. The only team in the NL Central with a positive point differential is the third-place Cubs. The Cubs sit just above the ice-cold Pirates, who were once the division leaders. Sitting in last are the Cardinals, who have been the only constant in the wacky NL Central. The Cards have been one of the underachieving and dysfunctional teams in the MLB.
No. 4: NL East
The NL East was anticipated to be one of the MLB's finest, yet here we are again: another Braves domination. The Braves have established clear supremacy over the NL East, as they have won a series against each of their division rivals and hold the best National League record. The Marlins and Phillies are gaining ground, but their negative point differentials are holding them back. The other two teams in the division are below .500. The Mets paid $ 364 million to win 45% of their games. That alone screams disappointing and dysfunctional. The last-place Nationals haven't been disappointing, but that is because they were expected to be the League's bottom dweller.
No. 3: AL West
It's the Athletics that are bringing this division down. The A's are pacing to become the worst team in over 100 years. With all of the advanced technology and statistics we have now, there is no excuse for fielding a team that poorly. Aside from the A's, the AL West is a strong division. Every other team has a positive point differential, even the middling Mariners. The wild card battle between the Astros and the Angels has been exciting to see play out. Also, the first-place Rangers have been one of the MLB's best and most surprising teams.
No. 2: NL West
The NL West started slowly as one of the most disappointing divisions. But thanks to hot streaks from the Diamondbacks and Giants, the NL West is back to being highly competitive, as usual. It didn't take long for the Diamondbacks to regain control of the division again. The Giants, one of the hottest teams in baseball, are close behind them and are neck-and-neck with the always-competitive Dodgers. For having the 3rd-highest payroll, the Padres haven't even won half of their games, but there is still time to get back in the runnings.
No .1: AL East
The AL East atop these rankings is a surprise to no one. This division will likely end the season being the first to have every team finish above .500. Perhaps the finest single-season division in MLB history features the MLB's best team in the Rays, one of the many surprises in the Orioles, the rich and always-contending Yankees, as well as the opportunistic Blue Jays and Red Sox. Every one of these teams has a positive point differential. The AL East reigns supreme.
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