MLB teams with most division titles

Prior to 1969, MLB’s postseason setup was fairly straightforward — the team with the best record during the regular season in both the American League and National League advanced to play each other in the World Series.

The advent of the divisional era, which split the AL and NL into two divisions each and introduced another postseason round before the World Series, brought baseball closer to the format we know today.

Here’s a look at the franchises that have won the most division titles since the start of the divisional era in 1969.

1. Braves: 23
Most recent: 2023

Originally part of the NL West, the Braves have owned the NL East since they joined the division in 1994. Atlanta won 11 consecutive AL East titles from 1995-2005, capturing one World Series championship (1995) and making two other Fall Classic appearances (1996, 1999) in that span. After some lean years, the Braves have re-emerged as the class of the division, winning six straight NL East titles (2018-23) as well as a World Series championship in 2021.

2. Dodgers: 21
Most recent: 2023

The Dodgers have put together an incredible run of dominance since 2013, winning 10 division titles, three NL pennants and a World Series championship. That’s nearly as many NL West crowns as they had from 1969-2012 combined (11).

3. Yankees: 20
Most recent: 2022

Unsurprisingly, the franchise with the most World Series championships (27) has collected quite a few division titles as well. The Bronx Bombers won four AL East crowns from 1976-80 and ripped off 13 more from 1996-2012, including nine straight starting in 1998. The Yanks also have made 11 World Series appearances during the divisional era, winning seven of them.

4. Athletics: 17
Most recent: 2020

The A’s enjoyed a dynastic run early in the divisional era, winning five straight AL West titles from 1971-75 and three consecutive World Series crowns from 1972-74. Oakland had another strong stretch from 1988-90, winning three division titles, three AL pennants and a World Series championship (1989) in that span. The “Moneyball” A’s also had their share of success in the early aughts, capturing three AL West titles from 2000-03 and another in 2006.

5. Cardinals: 15
Most recent: 2022

The Cardinals only won three division titles as a member of the NL East from 1969-93, but they have enjoyed consistent success since moving to the newly created NL Central in 1994. St. Louis has won 12 NL Central crowns, six more than any other team. This included nine in 16 seasons from 2000-15, a span in which the Cards also won a pair of World Series championships (2006, 2011) and reached two other Fall Classics (2004, 2013).

6-T. Twins: 13
Most recent: 2023

The Twins were the inaugural AL West champs in 1969 and repeated the feat the following year. Minnesota also won division titles in each of its World Series championship seasons, 1987 and 1991. After a lengthy drought, the Twins padded their total with six AL Central titles from 2002-10 and also captured consecutive crowns in 2019-20. Minnesota added the 13th division title in franchise history with its AL Central triumph in 2023.

6-T. Astros: 13
Most recent: 2023

The Astros are in the midst of the most successful era in franchise history, as they’ve won six AL West crowns and two World Series championships since 2017. Prior to that year, Houston had not captured a division title since it won four in five years from 1997-2001, when it was a member of the NL Central.

8-T. Phillies: 12
Most recent: 2024

The Phillies were an NL power from 2007-11, winning five straight NL East titles, appearing in two World Series (2008-09) and beating the Rays in the ‘08 Fall Classic. After that dominant stretch, the Phils missed the playoffs in 10 straight seasons before emerging once again in the 2020s. Philadelphia secured a Wild Card spot in two straight years from 2022-23, losing in six games in the World Series against the Astros in ‘22 and losing to the D-backs in seven games in the ‘23 NLCS. After falling short in the division to the Braves from 2022-23, the Phillies won the NL East in ‘24.

8-T. Guardians: 12
Most recent: 2024

Despite not winning its first division title until 1995, Cleveland finds itself on the list of the most successful teams of the divisional era. The club captured five straight AL Central championships from 1995-99, making two World Series appearances in that stretch, and another in 2001. Cleveland reached the Fall Classic again in 2016, the first year in a string of three straight division crowns.

Best of the rest (teams with at least 9):

Orioles: 10
Most recent: 2023

Red Sox: 10
Most recent: 2018

Reds: 10
Most recent: 2012

Angels: 9
Most recent: 2014

Pirates: 9
Most recent: 1992

Giants: 9
Most recent: 2021