Division Winners: Repeat Win Potential Ranking
- The Yankees and Giants open the 2026 MLB season on March 25.
- Fast trivia question, trusted readers: How many teams repeated as division champions last season?
- The number of repeat champs is a little high but hardly unusual.
The Yankees and Giants open the 2026 MLB season on March 25. We’ll be counting down to that date with our annual preview series, with each story looking ahead to the coming season by breaking down a particular topic, division by division.
Today: Ranking the reigning division winners’ chances of repeating
Fast trivia question, trusted readers: How many teams repeated as division champions last season? That’s to say, who won division titles in both 2024 and ’25?
The number of repeat champs is a little high but hardly unusual. Here are the numbers of defending champs to win again in the previous eight seasons:
2025: 4
2024: 3
2023: 3
2022: 2
2021: 2
2020: 3
2019: 3
2018: 4
so, six out of the past eight seasons, we’ve had at least three repeat division champions. as we head into 2026, should we expect to see that many again?
Here’s a look at the six division champions from last season, ranked by the likelihood that they’ll defend their division title. (Each club is listed with its 2025 record and margin of victory in the division.)
1. Dodgers (NL West)
93-69,3 games over Padres
There are reasons to be somewhat skeptical of the dodgers,at least how they currently stand. First, they’re getting older: Most of their key players are in their 30s, including four key lineup pieces who have already turned 33. Second, their outfield projects to rank in the bottom half of the Majors unless they make a meaningful move to add to it. Third, they won this division by fewer games last season than in any of their other division title seasons as 2018. (They didn’t win the division at all in ’21.)
The Padres, Giants and Diamondbacks might not necessarily be that settled right now, but they’re hardly packing it in. Those three clubs clearly all plan to contend this season, and challenge the Dodgers.But thes are still the two-time defending World Series champs,they’re still stacked and they’re still likely to make some moves that make them even better. They’re my pick to win the World Series again this year. So, obviously, they’re the easy choice to top this list. Again. Always, really.
2. Mariners (AL West)
90-72, 3 games over Astros
Now that they’ve finall
“`html
The American League central remains a division shrouded in uncertainty heading into the 2024 season, with questions surrounding key players like Tarik Skubal, the potential for improvement from the Chicago White Sox, and whether the Cleveland Guardians can replicate their previous success. Predicting a clear winner is difficult, and the division coudl come down to a tight race.
Tarik Skubal’s Performance and Detroit Tigers Prospects
Detroit Tigers left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal is projected to be a key contributor, and his continued success is vital to the team’s competitiveness. Whether the tigers can contend largely depends on Skubal maintaining,or improving upon,his 2023 performance.
In 2023, Skubal posted a 2.63 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP across 157.1 innings pitched, finishing eighth in the American League Cy Young Award voting. Baseball-Reference details his statistics, highlighting his emergence as a top-tier starter. However, pitchers are prone to injury, and Skubal’s health throughout the entire 2024 season is not guaranteed. His ability to stay on the mound will substantially impact the Tigers’ chances.
The Tigers also bolstered their roster in the offseason,adding players like Spencer turnbull and Jack Flaherty,aiming to create a more robust pitching staff. The detroit News reported on the Turnbull signing in December 2023.
Chicago White Sox Potential for Improvement
The Chicago White Sox are widely expected to improve in 2024, but the extent of that improvement is uncertain. After a disappointing 2023 season, the team underwent significant changes, including a new manager, pedro Grifol, and a focus on developing young talent.
In 2023, the White Sox finished last in the AL Central with a 61-101 record. ESPN’s MLB standings show their dismal performance.The team traded away several veteran players, signaling a rebuild. Key players to watch include Luis Robert Jr.and Andrew Vaughn, who are expected to lead the offense. However, the pitching staff remains a concern, and their success will depend on the advancement of young arms.
The White Sox’s improvement hinges on the performance of their young core and the ability of their pitching staff to limit runs.While a playoff berth isn’t necessarily expected, a significant jump in the standings is possible.
Cleveland Guardians: Maintaining Success?
The Cleveland Guardians are projected to be competitive, but replicating their 2023 performance will be challenging. The team has a strong core of young players and a well-regarded manager, Terry Francona (who retired after the 2023 season and was replaced by Stephen Vogt).
In 2023, the Guardians finished second in the AL Central with an 76-86 record. MLB.com reported on Vogt’s hiring in November 2023. They are known for their strong pitching development and ability to compete despite a relatively low payroll. However, they lost key players in the offseason, and their offense remains a question mark. The Guardians’ success will depend on their ability to overcome these challenges and continue to develop