MLB Analysis and Explainers
Wild cards, tiebreakers and how the postseason bracket actually works — from 162 games a team down to the World Series.
Barry Bonds Has the Most Home Runs, but He Trailed Hank Aaron at Every Age Until 42
Barry Bonds leads MLB's all-time home run list with 762, then Hank Aaron with 755. By age, Bonds was 14th through 35 and trailed Aaron until his last season.
Every World Series MVP Since 1955, From Johnny Podres to William Contreras
William Contreras of the Brewers won the 2026 World Series MVP. All 74 awards since 1955 by team and position, with the two-time winners and the co-MVPs.
Every World Series Winner Since 1903, Led by the Yankees' 27 Titles
The New York Yankees have won the most World Series titles, 27 of 122 since 1903. Every winner by year, titles by team and decade, and the Brewers' first title.
Home Field in the MLB Postseason Is Worth No More Than in the Regular Season
MLB home teams have won 54.0 percent of postseason games since 1995, against 53.7 in the regular season. By round, Game 7s, series and the 2026 World Series.
Home Field Has Won 45 of 80 League Championship Series Since 1985
Since the LCS went best-of-seven in 1985, home-field teams have won 45 of 80 and Game 1 winners 53 of 82. Sweeps, Game 7s, comebacks and the 2026 LCS.
Cleveland's 78-Season Wait Leads MLB's World Series Droughts
Cleveland has not won the World Series since 1948, 78 seasons, MLB's longest active drought. The Brewers won their first in 2026, and four teams never have.
MLB Has 327 No-Hitters, From Nine in 2021 to None in 2025
MLB has 327 official no-hitters through 2026, with a record nine in 2021, none in 2025 and one in 2026. Our game-by-game count shows why the number swings.
MLB Starters Now Last About Five Innings, and Complete Games Are Nearly Gone
MLB starters averaged 5.05 innings per start in 2026 and threw 21 complete games, the fewest since at least 1901. Every season since 1908, and the bullpen era.
More Steals, Fewer Outs: MLB Stolen Bases Before and After the 2023 Rules
MLB teams stole 0.68 bases a game in 2026 and were safe on 77.0 percent of tries. The four best success rates since 1951 all came after the 2023 rule changes.
More Than a Quarter of MLB Games Are Decided by One Run, and Records in Them Are Mostly Luck
From 2000 to 2026, 28.3 percent of MLB games were decided by one run. Team records in them barely repeat: what they say about luck, walk-offs and October.
MLB Games Now Last 2:42: Game Length Before and After the Pitch Clock
A nine-inning MLB game averaged 2:42 in 2026, 28 minutes shorter than the 3:10 record of 2021. Every season since 1950, plus playoff and extra-inning games.
Strikeouts Have Outnumbered Hits in Every MLB Season Since 2018
MLB teams struck out 8.38 times per game in 2026, 22.1 percent of plate appearances. Every season since 1913, and nine straight with more strikeouts than hits.
The Blue Jays in the Postseason: 11 Trips, Two Titles and 41-44 in Games
The Toronto Blue Jays have made 11 postseasons since 1985 and won 9 of 18 rounds, with titles in 1992 and 1993. Every series, Game 7 and elimination game.
Down 0-2 or 1-3 in the MLB Playoffs: 25 Comebacks in 193 Series
MLB teams down 0-2 in a best-of-five have won 11 of 96 series, the 2026 Guardians the latest, and teams down 1-3 in a best-of-seven 14 of 97. Every comeback.
Winning Game 1 Has Led to a World Series Title 77 Times in 121
The Game 1 winner has won the World Series 77 times in 121, or 64 percent, since 1903, as the 2026 Brewers did. What 2-0 and 3-1 leads are worth, plus Game 7s.
The Best Record in Baseball Now Wins the World Series About One Year in Four
The team with MLB's best record has won the World Series in 54 of 122 seasons, but only 9 of 32 since 1995. History by era, 100-win teams and the 2026 Brewers.
From 3.38 to 5.55 Runs a Game: Every MLB Season Since 1901
MLB teams scored 4.48 runs per game in 2026, 55th of 126 seasons. Every AL and NL season since 1901, from 5.55 in 1930 to 3.38 in 1908, from official MLB data.
Eight Wild Cards Have Won the World Series, About What a Coin Flip Would Give Them
Eight wild card teams have won the World Series since 1995, 8 of 32, close to what a coin-flip bracket predicts. The list, and how the 2026 wild cards fared.
How Many Wins Is a Run Worth? Run Differential, Pythagoras and the 2026 Tigers
Across 780 MLB team-seasons since 2000, every 10.2 runs of differential added a win. How the Pythagorean record works, and why the 2026 Tigers fell 12.6 short.
Does the Bye Help in the MLB Playoffs? What Five Octobers Say
Teams with an MLB playoff bye won 13 of 20 Division Series from 2022 to 2026, more than their strength predicted, and in 2026 the top-seeded Brewers won it all.
Everything MLB on Vertize Sports
The MLB regular season month by month, a free simulator that finishes it from the real standings, and the playoff bracket from Wild Card Series to World Series.