Repeating as a division champion in Major League Baseball is never guaranteed, but history suggests it’s more common than fans often realize. Entering the 2026 season, the league finds itself in an interesting position: four of the six division winners from 2025 were also division champions in 2024, making last season one of the most repeat-friendly years in recent memory. That level of consistency hasn’t been seen since 2018 and raises a natural question — how many of these teams are realistically positioned to defend their crowns?
Roster turnover, injury variance, competitive balance, and internal development all play a role in determining whether a team can stay on top. Some divisions appear stable with clear favorites, while others look primed for chaos. Below is a deep dive into each 2025 division winner, analyzing their chances of repeating in 2026.
Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West): Still the Gold Standard
Among all six defending division champions, the Dodgers enter 2026 as the most logical favorite to repeat. While they no longer enjoy the overwhelming advantage they once had during their 100-win seasons, their organizational stability continues to separate them from the rest of the league.
The Dodgers did not run away with the NL West in 2025, yet they still finished on top despite injuries, aging stars, and stretches of inconsistency. That speaks volumes about their depth and ability to withstand adversity over a 162-game season. Even when things aren’t clicking perfectly, Los Angeles finds ways to win.
The biggest reason the Dodgers remain the top repeat candidate is the relative landscape of the NL West. While other teams have upside, none consistently match Los Angeles in terms of roster construction, payroll flexibility, and development pipeline. The Dodgers also operate with the assumption that they will always be aggressive when upgrades are needed, whether through trades or free agency.
Even with questions surrounding health and aging veterans, the Dodgers still feel like the safest bet among defending division champions. Until another NL West team proves capable of sustaining pressure for six months, Los Angeles remains the standard.
Seattle Mariners (AL West): Opportunity Meets Timing
Seattle’s 2025 division title marked a major milestone for the franchise, and the timing could not be better for a potential repeat. The Mariners’ biggest advantage entering 2026 is not just their own roster strength, but the uncertainty surrounding the rest of the division.
The AL West lacks a clear, dominant challenger at the moment. While there are teams with talent and upside, none enter the season with the same level of stability Seattle currently enjoys. That alone gives the Mariners a strong path toward defending their title.
Seattle’s success in 2025 was built on balance rather than luck. Their ability to control games, manage pitching workloads, and avoid prolonged slumps allowed them to stay ahead in a division where no team truly separated itself. That formula translates well year to year.
Repeating is never easy, but the Mariners’ combination of internal growth and a favorable divisional environment places them near the top of the list when it comes to realistic repeat candidates.
Philadelphia Phillies (NL East): Dominant, But Under Pressure
The Phillies didn’t just win the NL East in 2025 — they dominated it, finishing well ahead of the pack. On paper, that would suggest a strong chance to repeat. However, context matters, and the NL East remains one of baseball’s most volatile divisions.
Philadelphia’s 2025 season wasn’t flawless. The team dealt with offensive inconsistency and stretches where pitching depth was tested. Yet they still managed to separate themselves significantly in the standings, which highlights just how talented the roster is.
The challenge entering 2026 is that the Phillies won’t sneak up on anyone. Division rivals are fully aware of what it takes to catch them, and several teams in the NL East have the resources and motivation to close the gap. While Philadelphia remains one of the most complete teams in the division, the margin for error is slimmer than the 2025 standings might suggest.
A repeat is absolutely within reach, but the Phillies will need to be sharper and more consistent to fend off what figures to be a more competitive race.
Toronto Blue Jays (AL East): Talent Isn’t the Question
Toronto’s 2025 division title came down to the smallest of margins, and that reality defines their repeat chances. The Blue Jays have the talent to win the AL East again — but so does almost everyone else.
No division punishes complacency like the AL East. Toronto’s path to a repeat is complicated by the fact that every rival enters the season believing they can win. Improvements across the division mean the Blue Jays cannot rely on incremental gains alone.
That said, Toronto’s roster remains strong, balanced, and experienced in high-leverage situations. They proved in 2025 that they can survive the grind of the AL East and come out on top, even if it required a tiebreaker.
Repeating will require health, depth, and timely performance across the roster. The margin between first and third in this division is razor thin, but Toronto belongs firmly in the conversation.
Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central): Proven, Yet Perpetually Questioned
Few teams have been as consistently successful in their division as the Brewers, yet few receive as much skepticism year after year. Milwaukee once again topped the NL Central in 2025, continuing a trend that has defined the franchise.
The doubts surrounding the Brewers often stem from how they win. Rather than overwhelming opponents with star power, Milwaukee relies on execution, pitching, and organizational cohesion. That approach has worked — repeatedly — but it also leaves less room for error if key contributors’ regress.
The NL Central remains a division where no team truly dominates, which both helps and hurts Milwaukee’s repeat chances. On one hand, the Brewers don’t face an obvious powerhouse rival. On the other, any number of teams could put together a strong enough season to challenge them.
Milwaukee’s track record earns them respect, but their repeat odds feel less secure than those of teams with more obvious separation from their competition.
Cleveland Guardians (AL Central): The Ultimate Toss-Up
If there’s one division that feels entirely unpredictable entering 2026, it’s the AL Central. Cleveland emerged on top in 2025, but they did so by the narrowest of margins in a division filled with uncertainty.
The Guardians’ biggest obstacle to repeating isn’t a specific rival — it’s the lack of clarity across the entire division. No team stands out as dominant, but several are capable of outperforming expectations. That creates a scenario where small fluctuations can have massive consequences in the standings.
Cleveland could absolutely repeat, but doing so may come down to factors beyond pure talent: health, timing, and which team catches lightning in a bottle. The AL Central feels less like a hierarchy and more like a season-long coin flip.
Among all defending division winners, the Guardians arguably face the widest range of possible outcomes.
Stability vs. Chaos
When evaluating repeat chances, stability matters. Teams like the Dodgers and Mariners benefit from clear organizational direction and favorable divisional environments. Others, such as the Blue Jays and Guardians, operate in divisions where even minor regression could be fatal.
What 2025 showed us is that repeating is possible — but never guaranteed. As the 2026 season approaches, these six teams sit at different points on the confidence spectrum, from near-favorites to complete wild cards.
One thing is certain: defending a division title is often harder than winning it the first time. And in baseball, nothing is ever settled until the final week of the season.
