This year’s American League may be the worst in Major League Baseball history
We’re already more than 20% into the 2026 Major League Baseball season, and some very surprising trends are becoming apparent.
The automatic balls and strikes system was supposed to lead to better accuracy for home plate umpires, and a dramatic end to missed calls. And while that’s often played out, there was an unexpected result of the challenge’s new format: a record number of walks.
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After a season dominated by discussions about the importance of big markets and high salaries in MLB, many of the richest teams and most expensive rosters are struggling.
John Schneider, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, yells at umpire Dan Merzel during the fifth inning of their MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario, on April 7, 2026. (Cole Burston/Getty Images)
The New York Mets have the second highest salary in baseball and the highest paid player in sports history. They are 11-22, in last place in the National League East by 12.5 games already, and their chances of making the postseason have dropped from about 90% to 25%. The Philadelphia Phillies are 13-20 and 10.5 games out of first place despite a top 5 payroll and superstars like Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper.
How that plays out will be one of the most interesting episodes of the season as we head into personnel negotiations. But arguably the most surprising result to date? How bad the American League looks.
American League teams got off to a rough start
For a few days in May, the entire National League Central division is above .500. Cubs 21-12, Cardinals 20-13, Reds 20-13, Brewers 18-14 and Pirates 18-16.
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Meanwhile, only four of the AL’s 15 teams have a winning record, and two of those four are 18-16 or 17-16. That means 13 of the 15 teams in the American League will be in last place or tied for last in the NL Central.
The combined record in the National League is 258-238, or a collective winning percentage of .520. The average NL team is on pace to win almost 84 games. By contrast, the winning percentage in the American League is just .480. That means the AL team is on pace to win 77 games. That is remarkable. In fact, it’s not just remarkable, it’s historic.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai returns to the dugout after being ejected in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle, Washington, on April 10, 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
For most of MLB’s history, the two leagues did not play in the regular season. Which means records in the AL or NL are statistically placed at .500 as each win means a loss for the other team in the league. But since the introduction of interleague play, the current .480 winning percentage in the American League will be the worst in the modern era.
What makes this stand out is that it is not like there are a few teams that are doing well when they come together and lead the league. It’s just that a lot of groups are bad.
The AL West is separated by only 4.5 games and the first place Athletics is 17-16. The entire AL Central is divided by just four games. The only two teams with any meaningful division above .500 are the Yankees and the…Tampa Bay Rays.
So how did we get here?
Well, the obvious answer is that for all the hand-wringing about competitive balance in baseball, 30 teams have probably never been closer than they are today. Pitching has bridged the gap between teams, as the ability to help design and “shape” individual pitches has made it easier than ever to find quality starters or relievers.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitches in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center in Toronto on April 8, 2026. (John E. Sokolowski/Images)
Several NL teams have also been more aggressive in free agency than their AL counterparts. The Cubs brought in Alex Bregman, the Dodgers kept Kyle Tucker in the NL after spending most of his career in Houston, and Bo Bichette left Toronto for the Mets. Shohei Ohtani is out of the AL starting in 2024. Even some trades have sent stars to the NL, like when Rafael Devers was traded from Boston to the Giants in 2025.
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There are other explanations. For example, after winning the World Series in 2023, the Texas Rangers have not been aggressive in free agency. And the Blue Jays have been devastated by injuries early in the season.
There’s still a lot of season left, but at this time of year, the AL is tracking well, just below the National League in terms of team rankings. What does this mean for the World Series? Knowing baseball, it’s probably the 82-win catcher’s team that wins the championship.
