MLB Futures Betting Odds

What Teams And Divisions Are In The American League?

The current American League is comprised of three divisions, each containing five teams. Those divisions are the AL East, Central, and West.

AL East

The AL East contains some of baseball’s biggest markets and most historic rivalries and franchises. The five current East members are the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore Orioles.

AL Central

The American League Central is often seen as the weakest division in the sport, at least in recent years. The five current AL Central teams are the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, and Detroit Tigers.

AL West

The AL West is made up of the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, and Seattle Mariners.

Past American League Pennant Winners                                

American League Betting Trends

• The Houston Astros have won four of the last six AL pennants.
• Only AL West teams have won consecutive AL pennants this century.
• The Seattle Mariners are the only team to never win an AL pennant.
• The Chicago White Sox have won the AL in 60% of their playoff appearances.
• The American League Championship Series has been a sweep just once in the last eight years.

History of the American League

The American League joined Major League Baseball in 1901. It is sometimes known as the junior circuit, as it joined the league 25 years after the formation of the National League.

The AL is known as more of the modern of the two leagues, introducing the designated hitter rule for the first time in 1973 and using less “smallball” than the NL, early on.

As of 2023, the American League has won over 55% of all World Series meetings.

AL Teams with the Most Pennants

What Teams And Divisions Are In The National League?

The National League is comprised of 15 teams split into three divisions. The current divisions are the National League East, Central, and West.

NL East

The National League East is currently comprised of five teams from up and down the east-coast. Those teams include the Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Washington Nationals.

NL Central

The National League Central contains five teams from the midwestern United States. The current member franchises are the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds.

NL West

The National League West has been one of baseball’s most competitive divisions in recent seasons, with multiple teams reaching the 100-win mark. The five teams currently in the division are the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres.

Past National League Pennant Winners

National League Betting Trends

• The National League has won three of the last four World Series.
• Current NL West teams have 51 total NL pennants, the most of any division.
• A wild-card team has won four of the last 11 NL pennants.
• The Dodgers have appeared in five of the last seven National League Championship Series.

History of the National League

Baseball's National League was founded in 1876 and is the older of MLB's two current leagues. It is the world's oldest professional team sports league, and is thus often dubbed the senior circuit.

The NL had to compete with several other major baseball leagues in the late 1800s and early 1900s, before partnering with the American League to become a super league that met for a final competition known as the World Series each season.

NL Teams with the Most Pennants

What Teams Are In The AL East?

The current American League is comprised of five teams, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays.

The division is entirely located in the Eastern time zone, with most of the teams located in or near the northeastern United States.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles were one of the original American League teams and a founding member of the modern AL East division, joining the division in 1969. The Orioles were previously known as the Browns and Brewers, when they were in St. Louis (1902-1953) and Milwaukee (1894-1901), respectively.

While the Orioles have just three World Series titles to the franchise's name, they've housed several Hall of Famers, like Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr., and Brooks Robinson.

Boston Red Sox

Another founding member of the AL East, the Red Sox are one of baseball's most historic franchises. Originally dubbed the Boston Americans in 1901, the team became the Red Sox in 1908 by then-team owner John I. Taylor. They play out of Fenway Park, which is the league’s oldest active ballpark and was built in 1912.

The Red Sox have nine World Series titles throughout their history. But they also suffered one of the longest title draughts in sports, not winning a title from 1918 until 2004.

New York Yankees

The final surviving founding member of the AL East, the Yankees are probably baseball's most iconic team. The franchise was founded in 1903, and after a few years of going by the nickname the New York Highlanders, they switched to the iconic Yankees name in 1913.

The pinstripe-clad Bronx Bombers have won 27 World Series titles and rostered some of MLB's most iconic players, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are MLB's newest franchise, joining during league expansion in 1998 alongside the Arizona Diamondbacks. After a few years of mediocrity, the Rays have found success in a competitive AL East, appearing in the World Series for the first time in 2008 and winning the AL East four times since then.

The Rays have recently been at the forefront of analytics and innovative strategy in baseball, being one of the first MLB teams to utilize an opener pitcher and the first franchise to hire a uniformed analytics coach.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays joined the AL East when the franchise joined MLB in 1977. The Jays found nearly immediate success after joining the league, winning the AL East five times from 1985 through 1995.

Toronto failed to crack the World Series until 1992, though, when they won the first of two-consecutive titles. The Jays failed to make the playoffs for over 20 years after the 1993 title, but returned to the playoffs again in 2015. 

Past AL East Winners

AL East Betting Trends

• The AL East is often cited as the toughest division in sports, deflating teams’ regular season wins due to internal competition.
• The AL East winner has made the World Series six times in the last 15 seasons.
• The New York Yankees lead all of baseball with 27 all-time World Series titles.
• All five AL East teams have won a division title in the last decade.
• The Baltimore Orioles have just one AL East title in the 21st century.

History of AL East

The AL East contains a few of baseball's most historic franchises, and probably the sport's biggest rivalry: Red Sox vs Yankees. The Sox and Yanks have played over 2300 total times, with the Yankees leading the matchup by about 200 wins.

The East is also one of the league’s oldest divisions, first founded in 1969. Some other teams that have played in the American League East at some point include the:

• Detroit Tigers
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Cleveland Guardians
• Washington Senators

AL East Teams with the Most Division Titles

What Teams Are In The AL Central?

The American League Central is one of MLB's newest divisions, formed in 1994. It currently contains five teams: the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have been around since 1900. The franchise was originally called the Chicago White Stockings before changing to the current name of White Sox.

While the franchise has six AL pennants and three World Series titles, they are better known for baseball's biggest scandal. In 1919, eight members of the team were accused of throwing the World Series against the Reds in exchange for money.

All eight players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, were banned from the league.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians currently hold the longest World Series draught in MLB, last winning in 1948. The Guardians came close to snapping the streak in 2016, but fell in seven games in the final to the Cubs.

The Guardians have gone by seven different team names throughout franchise history, including the Napoleons (1903-1914) and Lake Shores (1900). The changed to the Guardians in 2022.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have played in three different divisions in franchise history, moving from the Western to het East in 1969 and then joining the AL Central in 1998.

While the Tigers were a dominant force in the early 2010s, featuring Miguel Cabrera in his prime, they haven't had much success in recent years. The Tigers last made the playoffs in 2014.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals were a founding member of the AL Central, joining the division in 1994 from the West. They've been one of MLB's least successful franchises. Through the 2022 season, they own an all-time .478 win percentage, have just two World Series titles, and have won the Central division just once. However, the only time Kansas City won the AL Central they went on to win the WS (2015).

Minnesota Twins

The Twins moved to Minnesota in 1961, taking the place of the former Washington Senators.  While they have won the AL Central division eight times since 200, the Twins haven't made or won the World Series in the last 25 years.

Past AL Central Winners

AL Central Betting Trends

• The Minnesota Twins haven’t won a playoff game since 2004.
• The Royals have a 22-9 playoff record since 1985.
• All five AL Central teams have won the division in the last 10 years.
• The Cleveland Guardians have won four of the last seven ALC crowns.
• An AL Central team hasn't played in the World Series since 2016.

History of AL Central

The AL Central was founded in 1994 when MLB expanded from four to six divisions. The division hasn't changed much since inception, only trading the Milwaukee Brewers for the Tigers in 1998.

The current AL Central is one of just two divisions in MLB with all five member teams have won a World Series. And, all five ALC teams have won at least two titles.

AL Central Teams with the Most Division Titles

What Teams Are In The AL West?

The AL West was founded in 1969 and currently houses five teams. They are the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, and Los Angeles Angels.

Houston Astros

The Astros have run the AL West in recent years. After a decade of struggle, rebuilding, and high draft picks, the Astros have won the West five times since 2017. They've also appeared in four World Series and won the title twice in that time.

However, at least one Astros title is tainted due to a cheating scandal. In 2020, MLB disciplined the Astros for a sign stealing scandal that took place during the 2017 and 2017 seasons.

Texas Rangers

The Washington Senators moved to Texas in 1971 and became the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have appeared in two finals and won seven West divisions, but they're one of six MLB teams yet to win a World Series.

The closest Texas has come to a title was the 2011 World Series against the Cardinals, where they lost in seven games and were twice a strike away from victory.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are one of MLB's newer franchises, joining the league alongside the Blue Jays in 1977. They have won the AL West division three times and made the playoffs five times, overall. But, the Mariners are one of MLB's least successful franchises overall.

Seattle has a winning percentage under .475, has never even made a World Series, and failed to make the playoffs for over 20 years from 2001 to 2022.

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics have been around since 1901, moving from Philadelphia to Kansas City before ended up in Oakland. The Athletics nickname has stuck with the franchise the entire time, earning the name in association with the Philadelphia Athletic Club when the team was first an amateur squad in 1860.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels first joined MLB in 1961 and have gone through a few small rebrands and relocations since then. The team has gone by the California Angels, Anaheim Angels, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, as well.

The Halos have had some of baseball's best players in recent years, including Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, and Albert Pujols, but have appeared in the playoffs just once since 2010.

Past AL West Winners

AL West Betting Trends

• The Astros have won the last five AL West titles in a full season.
• The Astros have appeared in four of the last six World Series.
• The AL West champion has gone to the World Series six times since 2010 (winning four).
• The Seattle Mariners have not win the AL West since 2001.
• The AL West winner has had at least 95 wins every season since 2015.

History of AL West

The AL West was founded in 1969. The division housed just four teams from 1994 through 2012 until the Astros joined from the National League in 2013. While all five current teams are located on the west coast and in Texas, former West teams have been located as far east as Chicago.

Other teams that have been in the AL West at some point include the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers.

AL West Teams with the Most Division Titles

What Teams Are In The NL East?

The National League East division currently contains five teams. Those teams are the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have been all over, moving from Boston to Milwaukee before ending up in Atlanta in 1966. Since moving to the Peach State, the Braves have been one of MLB’s most dominant franchises.

They’ve rostered elite players like Chipper Jones and Greg Maddux, and appeared in six World Series in the last 40 years. The Braves have also won two titles since moving to Atlanta.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins joined the NL East in 1993, when they became one of MLB’s newest expansion teams. Success was almost immediate for the fish, as the Marlins won the World Series twice within the franchise’s first decade (1997 and 2003).

However, the Marlins have made the playoffs just once since then, sneaking into an expanded postseason field during the shortened 2020 season.

New York Mets

The Mets are a relatively new franchise, joining MLB in 1962. But they've already made their mark on the league's history. The Mets have won six NL East division titles, five NL pennants, and two World Series crowns since joining the league.

No Mets team is more iconic than the 1969 Miracle Mets. The Mets had never finished higher than ninth place in a 10-team division, but they went on a run in their first season in the newly create NL East. The '69 Mets won 100 games, won the NL East, and went on to win the franchise's first World Series.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are one of baseball's oldest franchises, founded in 1883, and have been located in Philadelphia the entire time. The Phillies have appeared in eight different World Series across six decades, winning the Commissioner's Trophy in 1980 and 2008.

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals are baseball's newest team, relocating from Montreal in 2005. While the Expos won just one NL East pennant during the team's history, the Nats have been far more successful. Since moving to Washington, the franchise has won four division crowns, made the playoffs five times, and won a World Series in 2019.

Past NL East Winners

NL East Betting Trends

• All five NL East teams have won a World Series.
• The Atlanta Braves have won the last five NL East titles.
• The Miami Marlins have never won the NL East.
• The Phillies haven’t won the NL East since 2011.
• The NL East champion has won at least one playoff game ever season since 2007.

History of NL East

Despite housing some of baseball’s newest franchises, the NL East is one of just two divisions with all five member teams owning at least one World Series title. However, the NL East has had a few other franchises pop in and out of the division since inception in 1969.

Former members of the East include the Pittsburgh Pirates (who won the division nine times), the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Chicago Cubs.

NL East Teams with the Most Division Titles

What Teams Are In The NL Central?

The National League Central is one of baseball's newest divisions, founded in 1994. It currently contains five times, including the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are one of two Chicago-based teams and have won the NL Central six times in the 21st century. They snapped a century-long title draught with a World Series victory in 2016.

One of baseball's most iconic teams, the Cubs also play in one of the most picturesque ballparks in the league. Chicago's Wrigley Field contains iconic ivy along the outfield wall and has been around since 1916.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds have been in the NL Central since the division's creation in 1994. They were formerly in the NL West, winning 10 division titles across the two divisions. Though Cincinnati hasn't won much in recent years, they were a dominant force in the 1970s. Those teams were known as the "Big Red Machine" and won titles in 1975 and 1976.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers’ franchise was originally based in Seattle and known as the Pilots before moving to Milwaukee in 1970. They are one of six MLB franchises to never win a World Series, and have only appeared in the league's final once in franchise history.

Since joining the NL Central from the American League in 1997, the Brewers have earned three division titles and three wild card playoff berths.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are one of baseball's winningest franchise. They've been around since 1882 and were first nicknamed the Cardinals in 1900. The Cards first won a World Series in 1926 and have earned 11 total titles since. They've also won a division-best 12 NL Central crowns.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates have been around since 1882 and have won five World Series titles in franchise history. The Bucs' last title came in 1979 and they have the sixth-longest championship drought in MLB, failing to win since. The Pirates are the only team in the Central division yet to win a division title.

Past NL Central Winners

NL Central Betting Trends

• The St. Louis Cardinals have won twice as many division titles as every other team.
• The Cardinals have won as many division titles (12) as the four other current teams combined.
• An NL Central champion has just one World Series in the last 15 years.
• Wild card teams from the Central have lost six-straight Wild-card games.

History of NL Central

The NL Central was created when MLB expanded from four to six divisions in 1994. The division has been largely dominated by the Cardinals, who have accounted for 12 of the 26 all-time division championships. The Cardinals and Cubs are also the only division champions to go on to win the World Series.

NL Central Teams with the Most Division Titles

What Teams Are In The NL West?

The NL West was created in 1969 and currently houses the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks joined the NL West in 1998 as an expansion team. They joined MLB alongside the Tampa Bay Rays and found almost immediate success. The DBacks won the West three times in their first five seasons, even making it to and winning the World Series in 2001.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers were founded in 1883 and were initially based out of Brooklyn. In 1958, the team relocated across the country to Los Angeles and have been one of baseball's most successful franchises since. The Dodgers have seven total World Series titles (six when based in LA), 24 NL Pennants, and 20 NL West division titles.

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies joined MLB in 1993 and immediately became a member of the NL West. Colorado has never won an NL West division title, but the Rockies have earned five wild-card playoff berths and even made it to the World Series as a wild-card team in 2007.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres were established in 1969 as a founding member of the NL West division. The Padres are one of six MLB teams that have never won a World Series title. They've been to the finals twice (last in 1998) and have won five NL West titles, too.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants were founded in 1883 and have been based in San Francisco since 1958. The Giants have rostered some of baseball's most iconic players, including Willie Mays and Barry Bonds. Despite regularly rostering stars, the Giants experienced a 56-year championship drought from 1954 until 2010. After snapping the streak in 2010, the Giants won three titles in five years.

Past NL West Winners

NL West Betting Trends

• The San Francisco Giants' last four World Series titles have come on even years (1954, 2010, 2012, 2014)
• The Colorado Rockies have never won an NL West title
• Wild-card teams from the NL West have won four-straight WC series
• The Dodgers have won nine of the last 10 division titles

History of NL West

The NL West was founded in 1969 when the NL expanded to 12 teams in 1969. Initially, the league housed the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Astros, as well, but all three founding members moved to other divisions during 1994 league changes.

The NL West holds some of baseball's best regional rivalries with the Giants and Dodgers leading the way. The Giants currently hold a narrow lead in the all-time series against the Dodgers, but Los Angeles has won the only playoff series ever between the two sides.

NL West Teams with the Most Division Titles