By Mark Simon

When it comes to the Defensive Runs Saved team leaderboard, the stars are nearly perfectly aligned at the moment.

Take a look at the top six teams in Runs Saved this season and where they currently rank in winning percentage.

* - Tied

All six top defensive teams rank in the top seven in winning percentage. The only team in the top six in winning percentage that didn't make it onto this list was the Yankees, who are tied for 10th in Defensive Runs Saved.

Admittedly, this might not last long as the Red Sox and Padres have nearly identical winning percentages (the Red Sox are 6 ten-thousandths of a point ahead) and the Padres are a mere 15th in Runs Saved.

That table is not to say there's been a perfect match between defense and winning this season. The No. 7, 8, and 9 teams in Runs Saved now are the Mets, Blue Jays, and Giants. All three have been massive disappointments this season.

There are also below-average defensive teams that have good records, such as the White Sox (tied for 20th in Runs Saved) and Phillies (last in Runs Saved). The Astros lead the AL West with a 62-60 record and rank 26th in Runs Saved.

But after all those caveats there does seem to be a common thread among the very best teams in baseball this year that they're all very good defensively.

The Cubs have put some distance between themselves and everyone else. They've gotten positive Runs Saved at every position but first base. They're a top five team in that stat at four positions (third base, center field, right field, and pitcher).

The Rays have gotten great play at shortstop, where Taylor Walls leads the majors in Runs Saved at the position, and solid play across the outfield. They've also gotten more value from defensive positioning than any team.

The Dodgers always seem to be near the top of the Runs Saved leaderboard. Andy Pages' career year and lead in Runs Saved among MLB center fielders is a big reason. They've gotten double-digit Runs Saved there and at second base, where Alex Freeland, Tommy Edman, and Miguel Rojas have manned the position for much of the season.

The Braves are similar to the Cubs in that they've gotten positive Runs Saved at eight of the nine positions, with catcher (-1 Runs Saved) being the exception. They rank in the top five in center field thanks to Michael Harris II and have the second-most Runs Saved in left field because Mauricio Dubon, Mike Yastrzemski and Eli White have all been good.

The Red Sox have one overwhelming strength. Their outfield has 47 Runs Saved, which is four more than the team has overall. Wilyer Abreu leads all players in Runs Saved. Ceddanne Rafaela is battling for the center field lead. And Jarren Duran is pretty good in left field.

It's not all outfield play. With Caleb Durbin showing the way, the Red Sox have gotten 14 Runs Saved at third base, third-most in MLB.

The Brewers round out the top six. They've got positional leader and past Platinum Glove winner Brice Turang ahead of the field at second base. Like the Dodgers at second base and the Braves in left field, they've also gotten a good group effort from David Hamilton and Luis Rengifo at third base.

Since SIS began tracking Runs Saved in 2003, there has not been a season with this good of a match between the top six teams in Runs Saved and the top seven teams in winning percentage. The 2026 season could end up being a first!

The FieldingBible.com website is a great resource for your defensive stat needs.

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