Every day, Pinstripe Alley offers updates on what the
Yankees’ top American League opponents are up to through the Rivalry Roundup. The AL East is well-trodden ground there, but with the end of the month upon us, we’re going to take a peek around MLB as a whole and check in with each of the other five divisions. Who’s surprising? Who’s underwhelming? Who’s simply mediocre at the moment? Read on and find out.Unlike the mediocrity that seems to be overtaking large chunks of the American League, the National
League features a much higher quantity of good baseball teams up to this point in the season. The Braves in the East have the best record in baseball, and the Dodgers are the Dodgers, but they find themselves in a division that’s anything but a cakewalk.
The NL West has obviously produced very good teams over the last handful of years, but the division has a tendency to be a bit top-heavy. While the top line is still quite good, there are multiple clubs in the West with high aspirations for October, and with good reason.
First Place: Los Angeles Dodgers (37-21)
Top Position Player: Andy Pages (2.7 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Shohei Ohtani (1.9 fWAR)
Once again adding big-ticket players over the offseason, the Dodgers are unsurprisingly one of baseball’s best teams again. They are not, however, game-breakingly dominant. They still feature a roster that boasts several of the game’s very best players, and will almost certainly be the World Series favorites throughout the season, but they are also not without their flaws, though neither is anyone else.
The offense continues to be led by Shohei Ohtani (despite a “diminished” 150 wRC+), Freddie Freeman, and a resurgent Max Muncy. At the top of the fWAR leaderboard, however, is Andy Pages, who is proving that last year was no fluke, and perhaps even a preview to even greater production. Their greatest strength has long been incredible depth, and with multiple All-Star level catchers and nine different hitters producing above league average, the same rings true in 2026. While their pitching has been impressive, durability has often been their Achilles Heel, which will certainly be something to monitor later in the season. Nevertheless, FanGraphs has them as the significant favorite in all of baseball to win their division, clinch a bye, and win the World Series.
Second Place: San Diego Padres (32-26)
Top Position Player: Xander Boagaerts (1.1 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Mason Miller (1.5 fWAR)
Five games back of the Dodgers, the Padres have played some good baseball on the whole in 2026. That being said, they aren’t doing it in a way that was expected or even desired. The lineup regulars have been middling at best, with only Gavin Sheets and Ty France putting up good numbers in significant playing time. Most concerningly, Manny Machado is in the midst of his worst offensive season to this point, and Fernando Tatis Jr. has one home run in 241 plate appearances.
Yet somehow, the Dads are making it happen, proud owners of the top Wild Card spot in the NL as things stand. While Michael King has led the charge for their rotation, they are certainly helped by the continued otherworldly performance of Mason Miller, who has a 0.46 FIP and is striking out more than half of the batters he faces, making himself an unlikely Cy Young candidate.
Third Place: Arizona Diamondbacks (31-26)
Top Position Player: Corbin Carroll (2.6 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Michael Soroka (1.5 fWAR)
Once again, the D-Backs are also fully in on the conversation and hold a share of a playoff spot as well. After some roster shifting at last year’s deadline and over the offseason, they are proving to be a formidable club once again. The stars are doing their job, as Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte continue to be some of the league’s best players, while the offense has enjoyed a rejuvenated newcomer in Nolan Arenado, who’s posting his best wRC+ (130) since 2022.
On the pitching side, while Zac Gallen has been highly disappointing, veterans Eduardo Rodriguez and shockingly, Michael Soroka have delivered plenty on the mound. Appearing healthy, the 28-year-old is doing plenty to keep his club above water, and only has one dud to show for in his 11 starts this season. FanGraphs has Arizona’s postseason odds just above 40 percent, a good bit above that of the Padres.
Fourth Place: San Francisco Giants (22-36)
Top Position Player: Luis Arraez (2.3 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Landen Roupp (1.6 fWAR)
Seemingly always involved, the Giants are where the NL West drops off a cliff. Already 15 games back in the division, 2026 has not gone to plan, despite some nice surprises. Luis Arraez has played well as a newbie by the Bay, while Casey Schmitt’s 12 homers and 145 wRC+ have been a major boost. The infield, however, has suffered difficult starts from both Matt Chapman and Willy Adames. Logan Webb has also been a disappointment by his standards, contributing to the major hole the club has found themselves in as we head to June.
Last Place: Colorado Rockies (22-37)
Top Position Player: Mickey Moniak (1.4 fWAR)
Top Pitcher: Antonio Senzatela (0.7 fWAR)
The Rockies. Still kind of doing their thing, though admittedly a good bit better than the historic lows they saw last season. That being said — still not good! At least Mickey Moniak’s career year has been a fun story, and they have a handful of interesting hitters, including former Yankee prospect TJ Rumfield. Someday they’ll figure things out (right?).
