MLB teams show how they perform against winning teams, a handy indicator of how they rise to elite competition. By comparing standings ordered by winning percentage against teams with winning records to overall records, a clear pattern emerges: the same teams tend to sit near the top in both views.
American League standings by record against winning teams (as of August 11, 2025)
– Toronto Blue Jays — 39-27, .590
– Seattle Mariners — 36-29, .554
– Houston Astros — 33-29, .532
– Boston Red Sox — 32-33, .493
– Detroit Tigers — 29-30, .492
– Los Angeles Angels — 35-40, .467
– New York Yankees — 31-36, .462
– Tampa Bay Rays — 30-37, .448
– Baltimore Orioles — 28-35, .444
– Kansas City Royals — 30-41, .423
– Texas Rangers — 26-37, .412
– Minnesota Twins — 27-40, .403
– Cleveland Guardians — 24-37, .394
– Oakland Athletics — 29-47, .383
– Chicago White Sox — 25-50, .333
National League standings by record against winning teams (as of August 11, 2025)
– Milwaukee Brewers — 38-24, .528
– Philadelphia Phillies — 33-31, .516
– Chicago Cubs — 37-36, .507
– New York Mets — 30-29, .508
– San Francisco Giants — 31-31, .500
– San Diego Padres — 32-33, .492
– Los Angeles Dodgers — 32-34, .485
– Cincinnati Reds — 31-34, .458
– St. Louis Cardinals — 32-36, .471
– Miami Marlins — 28-34, .452
– Arizona Diamondbacks — 30-37, .448
– Pittsburgh Pirates — 34-47, .419
– Atlanta Braves — 28-41, .406
– Washington Nationals — 25-48, .343
– Colorado Rockies — 11-60, .155
Blue Jays stand alone in the American League
The Blue Jays sit on top of the AL in this measure, further bolstering their control of the AL East. They’ve erased a sub-.500 stretch from late May, and their offense and defense have clicked in recent weeks. The chatter about Bo Bichette’s production has quieted as he’s delivered elite results over roughly the last six weeks.
Is this the year Toronto’s core finally translates regular-season dominance into a deep October run? The franchise hasn’t advanced past the Wild Card since 2016 and missed the postseason in five of the last eight seasons, but the current performance against winning teams has fans optimistic about what this group can become when it matters most.
AL West, NL Central look impressive
The Mariners aren’t just in the mix; they’re playing high-grade baseball against quality opposition, with Josh Naylor’s breakout and Julio Rodríguez’s second-half surge powering a hot stretch, and Cole Young emerging as a potential late-season contributor. Houston remains a threat as well, having weathered roster churn and now getting most of its lineup back, which could push them higher in these rankings.
In the National League, the Central Division sits at the top of the pack. Milwaukee is the best team in baseball by several metrics, with the Cubs tightening their grip after a hotter stretch, and the Reds and Cardinals also carrying winning records against teams with winning records. That mix helps explain why multiple Central clubs appear among the NL’s best in this specific metric.
Guardians are the best team with the worst record against .500-plus teams
The Cleveland Guardians are a notable outlier in the American League. They’ve surged to a strong 61-56 overall record, even as their mark against teams above .500 sits at 24-37. This juxtaposition underscores how a late-season surge can reshape postseason narratives, especially if Cleveland maintains momentum against stronger competition in the final two months.
Rockies are not having a good time
Colorado’s record against teams with winning records is a jolt: an 11-60 mark. That number stands out even more when you note that a few of those wins came against teams like the Cardinals and Reds that could finish under .500. It’s a striking contrast to teams at the top of the table and a reminder that the Rockies face a tougher climb rest of the way.
Bottom line
As the season progresses, these win-over-win records offer a useful glimpse into which clubs elevate their play against elite competition and which teams may still be finding the right mix. The Blue Jays’ edge in the AL, the Mariners’ strong performance, and the NL Central’s depth all point to a compelling stretch run with potential postseason drama.
Optional note for readers
– This snapshot reflects play through August 11, 2025 and can shift quickly with key injuries, trades, and timely hot streaks. Fans should watch upcoming head-to-heads between top contenders, especially Blue Jays vs. Mariners and the NL Central matchups, for early indicators of who might sustain success against high-quality opposition down the stretch.
Positive takeaway
– For teams contending, success against strong opponents can boost confidence and momentum heading toward September and October, potentially turning a good season into a great one with the right late surge.