If you spent any time at Citizens Bank Park last summer, you know the vibe. It was loud. It was stressful. And for most of the year, the standings in the National League East weren't even a contest. The Philadelphia Phillies basically took the division by the throat in May and didn't let go until they had 96 wins and a massive 13-game lead over the New York Mets.
But baseball is weird. You can dominate for six months and then watch your season evaporate because of one bad throw. That’s exactly what happened when Orion Kerkering’s errant toss in the NLDS sent the Dodgers to the moon and the Phillies to the golf course. Now, as we sit in the middle of January 2026, the division looks completely different than it did when the dust settled in September.
How the 2025 Standings in the National League East Actually Shook Out
Let's be real: the Atlanta Braves falling apart was the shocker of the year. They finished with 76 wins. Read that again. 76. For a team that usually prints 90-win seasons like they’re coupons, it was a disaster. Meanwhile, the Mets scraped their way to 83 wins, which was technically enough to keep things interesting, but they eventually got bounced from the wild card race by the Reds on the final day of the season.
The final regular season hierarchy looked like this:
- Philadelphia Phillies: 96-66 (The undisputed kings, until October)
- New York Mets: 83-79 (Scrappy, but missing that final gear)
- Miami Marlins: 79-83 (Way better than anyone expected, honestly)
- Atlanta Braves: 76-86 (A total "what just happened?" season)
- Washington Nationals: 66-96 (Still in the basement, but James Wood is a monster)
The Phillies’ dominance was built on a rotation that just wouldn't quit. Cristopher Sánchez turned into an absolute buzzsaw, racking up 212 strikeouts and leading the league in WAR for pitchers. Pair him with Zack Wheeler, and you've got a nightmare scenario for any lineup. But "regular season success" doesn't buy you a ring, and the gap between first and second place felt a lot wider than it actually was once the playoffs started.
📖 Related: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
The Mets are Trying to Buy the Division (Again)
It’s the same old story in Queens, but with a new twist. Steve Cohen clearly didn't enjoy watching the Phillies celebrate the division title from 13 games back. The big news this January? The Mets basically stole Bo Bichette right out from under the Phillies' noses. Reports were everywhere that Philly had a deal done, and then—boom—the Mets dropped a massive three-year deal with opt-outs that nobody could match.
This move changes the entire complexion of the standings in the National League East for 2026. If Bichette plays like his vintage self, he solves a massive hole in that lineup. Plus, they’ve still got Francisco Lindor coming off a season where he played 160 games and put up nearly 6 WAR. The Mets aren't just looking for a Wild Card spot anymore. They want the crown.
Why Nobody is Talking About the Braves (And Why That's Dangerous)
Atlanta had a "down" year. It happens. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are coming back with chips on their shoulders. While everyone is obsessing over the Mets' spending or the Phillies' heartbreak, the Braves are just sitting there. They didn't make a huge splash in the early winter, but they don't really need to.
Matt Olson still played every single game last year. He hit 29 homers in a "bad" year. If the Braves' pitching staff stays healthy for more than ten minutes this time around, that 20-game gap between them and the Phillies is going to disappear incredibly fast. Honestly, if you're betting on the division right now, ignoring Atlanta is a massive mistake.
👉 See also: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
The Marlins and Nationals: A Tale of Two Rebuilds
The Marlins are in a weird spot. They won 79 games last year, which is sort of the "no man's land" of baseball. You aren't good enough to win, but you aren't bad enough to get a top-three pick. They’ve been active this winter, but mostly in shipping off assets. It feels like they're waiting for the right moment to either dive in or blow it up.
Then you have Washington. 66 wins looks ugly on paper. It is ugly. But you've got to look at the individuals. James Wood is legitimately one of the most exciting young players in the game. He finished 2025 with 31 homers and 38 doubles. The Nats might stay stagnant in the standings in the National League East for another year, but they’re building something that’s going to be a problem by 2027.
What to Watch for Before Spring Training
The "Hot Stove" isn't cooled off yet. Not by a long shot. There are still a few big names floating around, and the Phillies just brought back J.T. Realmuto on a three-year deal to try and keep their window open. It's a gamble. Realmuto isn't getting younger, and his performance has been dipping, but he’s the heart of that locker room.
If the Phillies want to hold off a surging Mets team and a healthy Braves squad, they probably need one more high-leverage arm. That walk-off error in the NLDS wasn't just bad luck; it was a symptom of a bullpen that got shaky when the lights were brightest.
✨ Don't miss: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Mets' Opt-Outs: The Bichette deal is structured to give him leverage. If the Mets start slow, the trade rumors will start by July.
- Health is Everything for Atlanta: Keep an eye on Spencer Strider’s velocity in Spring Training. If he's 100%, the Braves are the favorites regardless of last year's record.
- The Phillies' Catching Depth: Watch how much they use Realmuto. If they grind him down early, they’ll pay for it in September.
The race for the top spot in the East is going to be a bloodbath. You've got three teams that think they can win 95 games and two teams that are perfectly happy to play spoiler. It’s the best division in baseball for a reason.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the non-roster invitees this February. Often, the difference between a division title and a Wild Card exit is a random middle reliever who finds his slider in Clearwater or Port St. Lucie. Check the transaction logs weekly as we approach February 15th.