MLB On Pace Standings and 2016 Playoff Predictions

We know people are losing their minds, as they anticipate the upcoming NFL season. But hey, don’t forget about baseball. The smell of the postseason is getting stronger each passing week with lots of teams still competing for division titles and wild card slots. It will only get more intense so now sounds like a good time to check on the standings.

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2016 MLB Standings and Playoff Predictions

Buck Showalter is doing a tremendous job of keeping the Orioles in contention in the AL East. The O’s are in a neck and neck race with Toronto though and are just 2.5 games ahead of the Red Sox for division supremacy. Another heated race is brewing in the AL Central with the Indians maintaining just a 2.5-game lead atop the division.

The Indians emerged as among the trade deadline winners with the acquisition of closer Andrew Miller. Sure, Jonathan Lucroy spurned them, but the Tribe appear to be doing just fine at the plate, as they are second in the AL in batting average since the All-Star break with a .273 mark.

Current MLB Division Leaders

Divisions | Teams (Odds to win division) | Current Record
AL East | Baltimore Orioles (+150) | 63-48
AL Central | Cleveland Indians (-350) | 62-47
AL West | Texas Rangers (-2500) | 67-47
NL East | Washington Nationals (-2500) | 66-45
NL Central | Chicago Cubs (off) | 69-41
NL West | Los Angeles Dodgers (+130) | 63-49

Unlike the AL East and AL Central, the AL West division is currently being dominated by the Rangers, who are 7.5 games on top of the standings. They have two series left to play against the second-place Mariners, which should be something to look out for in the coming weeks.

Moving over to the National League, the Nationals remain to be on top of the NL East with a comfortable 7.5-game lead. Prior to the season, the division championship was expected to be a race between the Nats and the Mets, but the Marlins got into the picture and are now second in the NL East—better by 1.5 games than the Mets. The Cubs, meanwhile, are back to stomping on poor opponents after a slowdown late in the first half. Since the midseason lull, the Cubs have a 16-6 record and currently on a seven-game win streak. They have an 11-game cushion in the division.

The NL West race is getting intense with the Giants and the Dodgers engaging in a mean phone-booth battle. It’s an even year so San Francisco hopefuls that destiny will be on their side. For the Dodgers, they’re merely hoping to get Clayton Kershaw back from the disabled list.

It’s not too late for other teams to notch wins and steal a playoff spot either by winning the division or by earning a wild card ticket. Here’s a look at the present state of the top teams vying for at least a wild card slot.

AL Wild Card Competition

Team | Present Record (Games Behind)
Boston Red Sox | 61-50 (0)
Toronto Blue Jays | 63-50 (0)
Detroit Tigers | 61-50 (0.5)
Seattle Mariners | 58-53 (3)
Houston Astros | 57-55 (4.5)
New York Yankees | 56-56 (5.5)

NL Wild Card Competition

Team | Present Record (Games Behind)
Miami Marlins | 60-53 (0)
St. Louis Cardinals | 59-53 (0.5)
New York Mets | 57-55 (2.5)
Pittsburgh Pirates | 55-54 (3)
Colorado Rockies | 55-58 (5)
Philadelphia Phillies | 52-62 (8.5)

Projected Final Records for Each Division Champs

Going back to the discussion of division champs, here’s a list of teams Fangraph thinks will end up winning their respective groups. Also included is that site’s projected final record and win percentage to win the division for each club.

Divisions | Teams | Projected Final Record (Win%*)
AL East | Toronto Blue Jays | 113-64 (.566)
AL Central | Cleveland Indians | 109-62 (.569 )
AL West | Texas Rangers | 113-66 (.584)
NL East | Washington Nationals | 111- 66 (.595)
NL Central | Chicago Cubs | 110-69 (.627)
NL West | Los Angeles Dodgers | 112-63 (.563)

*per Fangraphs.com

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