The National League Central is the only division in Major League Baseball where every team currently holds a winning record, according to an April 21 report. The division’s collective performance stands out as no other MLB division has more than three teams above .500 at this point in the season.
This development highlights the competitive balance within the NL Central, making it unique among baseball divisions. The current standings show that even the lowest-ranked team, the Milwaukee Brewers, has a .571 winning percentage. Last year, the Brewers finished first in both their division and across all of Major League Baseball with a record of 97-65.
Historically, no MLB division has ended a season with every team holding a winning record since divisional play began in 1969. Only twice has every team finished at or above .500: once by the 2005 NL East and once by the 1991 AL West. In both cases, last-place teams posted records of exactly .500 (81-81).
Some of this year’s biggest surprises include strong starts from traditionally lower-ranked teams like Pittsburgh and St. Louis. Players such as Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin have contributed to Pittsburgh’s turnaround after finishing well below .500 last year, while Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt have helped St. Louis return to contention.
The current pace suggests that even teams ranked last in this year’s NL Central would be leading other divisions if placed there instead. Nearly ninety percent of past teams finishing with at least a .571 winning percentage made it to postseason play under previous playoff formats; since expanding to three Wild Card spots per league in 2022, no team with ninety or more wins has missed out on playoffs.
If these trends continue through season’s end, the NL Central could make history as Major League Baseball’s most balanced—and possibly most successful—division.
