MLB Sunday Preview: Key Games and 2026 Playoff Race Update
2 min read
Quick Answer
The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the National League and the Tampa Bay Rays lead the American League this season, while Sunday's schedule features several key matchups between closely ranked teams. The playoff race remains open in most divisions as the season nears its decisive stretch.
National League Standings
The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the NL West with a 69-42 record, followed by the Milwaukee Brewers atop the NL Central at 69-41, and the Atlanta Braves leading the NL East at 66-45. The rest of the divisions show strong competition, such as the NL West, where the Arizona Diamondbacks sit in second place at 59-52, with the San Diego Padres close behind at 57-54.
American League Standings
In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays lead the AL East with a 65-45 record, followed by the New York Yankees at 62-49. In the Central division, the Chicago White Sox lead with a 58-52 record in a tight race with the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians, both at 56-56. In the West, the Houston Astros lead at 57-55, ahead of the Texas Rangers at 55-56.
Sunday's Scheduled Games
Sunday's slate includes several matchups: the Atlanta Braves against the Washington Nationals, the Baltimore Orioles against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Toronto Blue Jays against the St. Louis Cardinals, and the New York Mets against the Miami Marlins. The schedule also includes the Seattle Mariners against the Minnesota Twins, the Houston Astros against the Texas Rangers, the Chicago Cubs against the New York Yankees, plus the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox.
Notable Saturday Results
Saturday's games produced several notable results: the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-0, the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Cleveland Guardians 12-8, while the Boston Red Sox edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 in a close game. The Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics 8-6, and the Colorado Rockies defeated the Kansas City Royals 12-6.
A Look at the Playoff Race
Current standings show the playoff race remains open in most divisions, with narrow gaps between several teams, especially in the AL Central among the White Sox, Twins, and Guardians. The AL West also remains open between the Astros, Rangers, and Mariners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who's currently leading the National League?
A: The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the NL West at 69-42, narrowly ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers, who lead the NL Central at 69-41.
Q: Who's currently leading the American League?
A: The Tampa Bay Rays lead the AL East at 65-45, the best record among all AL division leaders.
Q: What are the key games on Sunday?
A: Notable matchups include the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago Cubs against the New York Yankees.
Q: Is the playoff race decided yet?
A: No, the race remains open in most divisions, especially in the AL Central and AL West, where the gaps between teams are very slim.
Q: Who has the worst record right now?
A: The Los Angeles Angels have the worst record in the AL West at 42-69.
Recommended For You
Box Office: 'Fantastic Four' Tops Chart Amid Mixed Weekend Data
"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" led the US box office with $118 million, ahead of "Superman" and "Jurassic World Rebirth," though this week's data is incomplete.
Dirty Soda: The Viral Drink Taking Over American Social Media
Dirty soda started as a local Utah habit but exploded into a national social media phenomenon in 2026, despite health warnings over its high sugar content.