Historically, though, what can we learn from the July Fourth standings? Looking at every possible lead in the standings — from a tie to 21 games ahead — on the morning of America’s national holiday, here’s what wound up happening:
MORE: How last 10 World Series champs stood at halfway mark
Tie: 2014 Blue Jays and Orioles — Blue Jays missed playoffs, Orioles won division
0.5 games: 2014 Braves and 2014 Dodgers — Braves missed playoffs, Dodgers won division
1 game: 2015 Yankees — wild card
1.5 games: 2011 Yankees — won division
2 games: 2013 Pirates — wild card
2.5 games: 2013 Diamondbacks — missed playoffs
3 games: 2015 Dodgers — won division
3.5 games: 2015 Nationals — missed playoffs
4 games: 2011 Phillies — won division
4.5 games: 2015 Royals — won World Series
5 games: 2015 Astros — wild card
5.5 games: 2007 Brewers — missed playoffs
6 games: 2015 Cardinals — won division
6.5 games: 2002 Twins — won division
7 games: 2013 Braves — won division
7.5 games: 2009 Dodgers — won division
8 games: 2000 Cardinals — won division
8.5 games: 2005 White Sox — won World Series
9 games: 1990 Reds — won World Series
9.5 games: 2002 Braves — won division
10 games: 1998 Yankees — won World Series
10.5 games: 2006 Mets — won division
11 games: 2007 Red Sox — won World Series
11.5 games: 1955 Dodgers — won World Series
12.5 games: 1986 Mets — won World Series
13 games: 1999 Indians — won division
16.5 games: 1912 Giants — won pennant
21 games: 2001 Mariners — won division
