Memorial Day MLB Standings: A Season in Review

As we reach Memorial Day, the 2025 MLB season has provided plenty of drama, surprises, and standout performances. This is the time when the standings start to take on real meaning, and teams begin to separate themselves from the pack.

The State of the Standings

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 59% of teams that led their divisions on June 1 have gone on to win their division since the wild-card era began in 1995. This year, the standings are as intriguing as ever, with several teams defying expectations.

National League Highlights

• Colorado Rockies: The Rockies are having a historically bad season, with a run differential of -171 and a pace that could see them finish more than 50 games behind the fourth-place team in the NL West.
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Despite pitching injuries, the Dodgers remain a powerhouse and are leading the majors in bullpen innings.
• San Francisco Giants: The Giants have been a pleasant surprise, but questions remain about their ability to sustain their performance over the full season.

American League Highlights

• Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have been one of the biggest surprises, with a strong offense and resilience through injuries.
• New York Yankees: Aaron Judge is having an MVP-caliber season, and the Yankees are getting stronger with reinforcements on the way.
• Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles are a major disappointment, with a collapse in run prevention and a bleak outlook for the rest of the season.

Playoff Predictions

National League: Five of the current six teams in the playoff field are expected to remain there in October, with the Braves likely to make a late surge.

American League: Three teams—the Tigers, Yankees, and Mariners—are seen as locks for the playoffs, with the Red Sox and Astros also in the mix.

Biggest Disappointments

• Baltimore Orioles: After winning 101 games two seasons ago, the Orioles are on pace to lose 100 games this year.
• Atlanta Braves: Despite the return of key players, the Braves have struggled with bullpen issues and inconsistent performances.
• Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks' bullpen has been a disaster, contributing to their .500 record on Memorial Day.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, the trade deadline will be crucial for teams looking to bolster their rosters for a playoff push. The parity in both leagues suggests that the race to the postseason will be highly competitive, with several teams still in contention.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 MLB season has already provided plenty of excitement, and the second half promises even more drama. Whether your team is leading the pack or struggling to stay afloat, there's still plenty of baseball left to play.