This appreciation for parity is frequently referenced as one of the explanations for the NFL's total and complete ratings domination.Though this parity is curiously never impacted by the fact that Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady has won the Super Bowl in seven of the last 12 years, despite Brady having retired three years ago.Still, if parity is what fans want, boy should they love the American League standings in 2026.DESPITE COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER SPORTS, THE NFL HAS BECOME THE MOST PREDICTABLE LEAGUE IN AMERICAJunior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays grounds out to the pitcher during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 14, 2026.
(Al Bello/Getty Images)We're barreling toward September and the end of the 2026 regular season, with most teams having just 30–32 games remaining on their schedules.And this year's AL, particularly the AL West, is on track to make a historic, embarrassing, type of history.Since the founding of Major League Baseball, there's never been a team in a full season to reach the postseason with a losing record.
Yet with, again, just over a month's worth of games remaining, there are only four teams in the AL with a winning record.Three of them are in the same division.
It gets worse.A LAUGHABLY BAD AMERICAN LEAGUE HAS ALLOWED ONE OF BASEBALL'S WORST TEAMS TO CLIMB INTO THE PLAYOFF RACENot one team in the American League West has a winning record, with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers both tied at 65-66.The Seattle Mariners, who both bought and sold at the trade deadline, are in third place at 62-69.
They've been outscored by 61 runs this year.Seven games under .500.
Surely eliminated from postseason contention, right?Not exactly.Somehow, the Mariners are just three games back of both first place in their division and the third wild card spot.
Then there's the rest of the AL.DODGERS REPORTEDLY ACQUIRE ACE TARIK SKUBAL FROM TIGERS IN TRADE THAT STIRS UP MLB WORLDJulio Rodríguez #44 of...