If you’re checking the american mlb east standings in January 2026, you’re looking at a graveyard of experts' preseason predictions. This division is a buzzsaw. It’s always been one, but the 2025 season took the "toughest division in baseball" cliché and dialed it up to an uncomfortable degree. Honestly, if you told a Blue Jays fan a year ago that they’d be celebrating a division title and an AL Pennant after a 94-win grind, they probably would’ve asked what you were drinking.
But it happened.
The AL East didn't just have one or two good teams last year; it had three legitimate heavyweights that refused to blink until the final weekend of September. Looking at the final 2025 regular-season tally, you can see how razor-thin the margins were. The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees both finished at 94-68. Because Toronto held the head-to-head tiebreaker, winning eight of their thirteen meetings against the Bronx Bombers, the flag flew north of the border.
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox weren't exactly slouches either, finishing just five games back at 89-73. It’s the kind of division where a "bad" year for the Rays still sees them near .500, and even a rebuilding Baltimore squad can play spoiler on any given Tuesday.
Breaking Down the 2025 American MLB East Standings
To understand where we are right now, we have to look at how these teams actually crossed the finish line. Most people assume the Yankees just buy their way to the top, but 2025 was different. It was about health—or the lack of it.
The Toronto Blue Jays (94-68, 1st Place)
Toronto’s path to the top of the american mlb east standings was basically a cinematic drama. They clinched the division on the very last day of the season with a massive 13-4 blowout over the Rays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the heartbeat of that team, and while his power numbers fluctuated, his leadership in the clubhouse was the real story. Manager John Schneider managed to keep a volatile bullpen together just long enough to secure that first-round bye.
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The New York Yankees (94-68, 2nd Place / Wild Card)
Technically tied for the best record, the Yankees lost the division on a tiebreaker but still terrorized the league. Aaron Judge did Aaron Judge things—another MVP-caliber season—but the reliance on veteran arms like Marcus Stroman and Carlos Rodón occasionally bit them. They ended up winning the Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, only to fall to the Blue Jays in a four-game ALDS that felt like a heavyweight boxing match.
The Boston Red Sox (89-73, 3rd Place)
Alex Cora somehow squeezed 89 wins out of a roster that many pundits thought would be lucky to hit 82. They were the ultimate "vibes" team, powered by a breakout year from their younger core. However, losing to the Yankees in the Wild Card round left a sour taste in Beantown.
Why the AL East is the Toughest Division in Baseball
It’s not just about the money. Sure, the Yankees and Blue Jays have massive payrolls, but look at the Tampa Bay Rays. They finished 2025 at 77-85, which most fans would call a "down year." In any other division—say, the AL Central—that might keep you in the race until August. In the East? It puts you 17 games back.
The historical data is even crazier. Since the Wild Card was introduced in 1995, this division has produced 20 of the 32 American League wild-card teams. Think about that. Nearly two-thirds of the time, the "second best" team in the East is better than the "best" teams elsewhere.
You’ve got a mix of everything here:
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- The Financial Goliaths: Yankees and Blue Jays.
- The Analytics Wizards: Rays and Orioles.
- The Historic Power: Red Sox.
Basically, there are no "off" days in this schedule. When the Orioles are in last place with 75 wins (their 2025 mark), you know the basement is higher than most people’s ceilings.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Outlook and Betting Favorites
As we sit here in the 2025-2026 offseason, the "Hot Stove" is starting to cool, and the projected american mlb east standings for the upcoming season are already surfacing. According to recent odds from BetMGM, the Yankees have actually opened as the favorites (+200) to reclaim the crown, despite Toronto being the defending champs.
Why? Because the Yankees aren't sitting still. They’ve been aggressive in the trade market, recently picking up Ryan Weathers from the Marlins to bolster a rotation that looked thin in the playoffs.
But don't sleep on Baltimore. After a 75-win "rebuilding" season, the Orioles have been the busiest team this winter. They’ve already landed Pete Alonso and Shane Baz. Adding a power bat like Alonso to that young core is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the division. If you’re a betting person, the Orioles at +400 might be the best value on the board right now.
Recent AL East Division Winners
| Year | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Toronto Blue Jays | 94-68 |
| 2024 | New York Yankees | 94-68 |
| 2023 | Baltimore Orioles | 101-61 |
| 2022 | New York Yankees | 99-63 |
Notice a pattern? Nobody repeats. Since the Rays did it in 2020 and 2021, the crown has bounced around like a hot potato.
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The "Vladito" Factor and Payroll Chaos
Toronto isn't just resting on their 2025 laurels. They recently shelled out another $336 million in guaranteed money this winter. They are effectively "all-in." By crashing through the luxury tax thresholds, the Blue Jays are signaling that they don't just want to win the division; they want to finish the job they started last year when they lost Game 7 of the World Series to the Dodgers.
The departures are also worth noting. Bo Bichette is a free agent, and the loss of his bat at shortstop is a massive hole. Toronto is betting heavily on internal growth and their new acquisition, Kazuma Okamoto, to fill the void. It’s a risky gamble. If the new guys don't hit, that 94-win total from last year will look like a distant memory.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking the american mlb east standings to get an edge for the 2026 season, here’s how you should actually look at the data:
- Ignore "Run Differential" for the Rays: The Rays often underperform their pythagorean win-loss record because they play so many close games. In 2025, they were actually better than their 77 wins suggested, but a few blown saves in the 9th inning tanked their standing.
- Watch the "Hot Stove" Grades: Baltimore is the winner of the offseason so far. Adding a guy like Pete Alonso to a lineup that already features Gunnar Henderson is a game-changer.
- The Tiebreaker Rule Matters: Since MLB got rid of the Game 163 tiebreaker, the head-to-head record is everything. Toronto won the division in 2025 specifically because they dominated the Yankees in July. Keep a close eye on those season series; they are literally the difference between a division title and a Wild Card grind.
- Rotation Health is the Metric: The Yankees’ 2026 season lives and dies with Gerrit Cole and Ryan Weathers. If the rotation stays healthy, they are the best team in the division. If not, they are a .500 club.
The AL East is a meat grinder. It’s exhausting to watch and even more exhausting to play in. As we move closer to Spring Training 2026, expect these standings to shift wildly with every minor injury or late-January signing.
To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the 2026 Opening Day trackers for roster changes. The Blue Jays might have the trophy for now, but in this division, the crown never stays in one place for long. Pay close attention to the Orioles' pitching staff development this spring—if their young arms take a step forward alongside their new veteran additions, the 2026 standings might look very different by October.