Every spring, a new season of Major League Baseball brings America’s pastime to millions of fans across the country. This is perhaps more true than ever for the 2026 season, which began on March 25; coming off of an exciting postseason and spring training, the league has already delivered on fans’ high expectations.
Split into the National (NL) and American Leagues (AL), the season began with long winning streaks and surprising dry spells for various teams. Current records favor the NL — the Atlanta Braves lead the entire league, with a record of 25-10 thanks to strong showings from players like Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson. The Chicago Cubs follow close behind at 22-12 thanks to core infielder Nico Hoerner, while the Los Angeles Dodgers — 2025 World Series Champions — are in third at 21-13, bolstered by Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching.
Other teams have turned over a new leaf from last year’s performances, for better and worse. The Miami Marlins were eliminated in the wild card round of last year’s postseason, but are currently tied for second in the NL East at 16-19. Perhaps even more surprising are the Baltimore Orioles, who have climbed back up from a 51-110 record in 2018 by revitalizing a tired team with young prospects, earning them a record of 15-20.
On the other hand, teams like the Houston Astros have fallen behind despite strong lineups and bullpens. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Astros were second in the AL West at the end of the 2025 season with a record of 87-75; this year, they have the third worst record in the MLB at 14-21, with top players like Christian Walker unable to make a difference. Additionally, the 2025 AL Champion Toronto Blue Jays suffered sweeps from both the Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox in April, leaving them with a record of 16-19.
Each team faces specific difficulties that will remain important to address throughout the season. Although the Dodgers have made steps to resolve frequent injuries, including signing closer Edwin Diaz, the team must stay healthy to maintain their full power. Similarly, the San Diego Padres need to fill gaps left by 2025 free agents, while the Colorado Rockies continue their long-term struggle to find a pitching rotation at the high-elevation Coors Field.
As teams adapt to the ever-changing world of baseball, this season is bound to be one to remember. Although they have a long road ahead of them, this powerful start spells a riveting year for players and fans alike.
