Which MLB Division Will Reign Supreme This Season?
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
NL West: Boosted by the Dodgers, Bolstered by Depth
The NL West has the most dominant team—the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their projected win total alone lifts the entire division’s outlook. But they’re not alone: the Diamondbacks and Padres also project as playoff-caliber clubs. While the Rockies and Giants remain a drag on the division’s average, removing the weakest team from projections reveals that the NL West could outperform the AL East in wins among its top four teams. The challenge is whether the division is truly strong, or just inflated by the Dodgers’ overwhelming dominance. Either way, the NL West remains firmly in the mix.
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A Wide-Open Race for MLB's Best Division
The 2025 MLB season is just underway, and while it’s far too early to predict how the playoff picture will unfold, it’s already fun to speculate on which division might rise above the rest. Looking back at 2024 doesn’t offer a clear answer either—each division had its strengths. The NL West had the most collective wins, the AL Central and NL East each sent three teams to the playoffs, the NL Central had the most parity, and the AL East led in run differential. Only the AL West lagged across most metrics. With no easy way to define “best,” the conversation becomes a matter of perspective: most wins, most contenders, or most star-studded top tier?
AL Central: A Division on the Rise?
The AL Central surprised many in 2024 by having four teams finish above .500 and within striking distance of the postseason—a remarkable turnaround for a division often viewed as one of the league’s weakest. The Twins, Guardians, Tigers, and Royals all showed flashes of promise, while even the White Sox, despite their struggles, have a few cornerstone players to build around. Heading into 2025, the division doesn’t have a clear-cut powerhouse, but it does have multiple teams capable of taking a step forward. If the upward trends continue, the AL Central could be more competitive than expected again, even if it lacks the star power of the East and West.
NL Central: Quietly Competitive
The NL Central may not get the same spotlight as other divisions, but it quietly had a strong showing in 2024. It was the only division in which every team won at least 75 games—a rare sign of balance and internal competition. While the division lacks a clear juggernaut like the Dodgers or Braves, its depth keeps it interesting. The Cubs, Brewers, and Reds are all hovering around playoff contention, and even the Pirates and Cardinals have enough talent to make noise if things break right. The NL Central will unlikely produce multiple title contenders, but don’t be surprised if it sends a couple of teams to October again.
AL West: Searching for Stability
The AL West had a rough 2024, finishing with the fewest total wins and the worst run differential of any division. The Astros were the lone postseason representative, and even their 88-win campaign wouldn’t have been enough to earn a Wild Card berth in the National League. Heading into 2025, there are still significant question marks. The Mariners and Rangers have talent but lack consistency. The Angels are in transition, and the A’s continue to rebuild. Houston remains the best bet, but the AL West looks like the weakest division again without a significant leap from at least one other club.
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AL East: Depth from Top to Bottom
The AL East has the most balanced lineup of teams in baseball right now. Every club in the division has a legitimate shot at finishing above .500, and both PECOTA and FanGraphs projections agree they’ll win more combined games than any other division. The strength lies not in one dominant team, but in the absence of a weak link. The Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Rays all have real postseason hopes, with FanGraphs giving each better than a 1-in-3 chance to make the playoffs. No other division can claim that kind of across-the-board competitiveness.
NL East: Three True Contenders
While the AL East boasts depth, the NL East might have the most serious World Series threats. The Braves, Mets, and Phillies all profile as elite teams—arguably three of the top five in baseball. Each has a strong roster, playoff experience, and legitimate championship aspirations. It wouldn’t be surprising if all three made the postseason again in 2025, with any of them capable of a deep October run. While the Marlins and Nationals are unlikely to contend, the top of the division is strong enough to make the NL East a serious contender for the title of MLB’s best.
NL West: Boosted by the Dodgers, Bolstered by Depth
The NL West has the most dominant team—the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their projected win total alone lifts the entire division’s outlook. But they’re not alone: the Diamondbacks and Padres also project as playoff-caliber clubs. While the Rockies and Giants remain a drag on the division’s average, removing the weakest team from projections reveals that the NL West could outperform the AL East in wins among its top four teams. The challenge is whether the division is truly strong, or just inflated by the Dodgers’ overwhelming dominance. Either way, the NL West remains firmly in the mix.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
A Wide-Open Race for MLB's Best Division
The 2025 MLB season is just underway, and while it’s far too early to predict how the playoff picture will unfold, it’s already fun to speculate on which division might rise above the rest. Looking back at 2024 doesn’t offer a clear answer either—each division had its strengths. The NL West had the most collective wins, the AL Central and NL East each sent three teams to the playoffs, the NL Central had the most parity, and the AL East led in run differential. Only the AL West lagged across most metrics. With no easy way to define “best,” the conversation becomes a matter of perspective: most wins, most contenders, or most star-studded top tier?
