Winning streaks shape how people remember Major League Baseball. Teams catch fire and refuse to lose.
These runs reveal more than hot bats and strong arms. They show timing, depth, and pressure at the highest level of MLB.
The longest winning streaks in MLB history belong to the 1916 New York Giants, who won 26 straight games during a single regular season. This record still stands in Major League Baseball longest winning streaks.
No modern team has matched that mark. Several have come close across different eras and leagues.
This article explores how those streaks happened and which teams defined them. It also compares runs across eras and highlights franchise records.
What Is the Longest Winning Streak in MLB History?
The longest winning streaks in MLB history show how rare it is for a team to stay unbeaten for weeks. One National League team set the all-time mark, while an American League club holds the modern record.
League rules on tie games also affect how MLB counts these streaks.
The Historic 1916 New York Giants Streak
The New York Giants hold the longest winning streak in MLB history. In 1916, they won 26 straight games during the regular season.
The streak ran from September 7 to September 30. It included one tie game, which MLB rules do not count as a win or a loss.
The Giants still kept the streak alive.
Key facts from this run:
- Season: 1916
- League: National League
- Total wins: 26
- Final season record: 86–66
MLB has never matched this mark. Many teams have come close, but none have passed it.
American League Record: 2017 Cleveland Guardians
The American League record belongs to the 2017 Cleveland team, known then as the Cleveland Indians and now the Cleveland Guardians. They won 22 games in a row.
This streak lasted from August 24 to September 15. Cleveland finished the season with a 102–60 record and won the AL Central.
Important details:
- League: American League
- Streak length: 22 wins
- Year: 2017
No other AL team has reached 22 straight wins.
Tie Games and Their Impact on Streaks
MLB rules treat tie games in a specific way. A tie does not end a winning streak.
It also does not add to the win total. This rule matters most for older seasons.
In 1916, the Giants played one tie during their streak. MLB still credits them with 26 straight wins.
Key points:
- Tie games do not count as wins
- Tie games do not count as losses
- The streak continues after a tie
Modern MLB rarely has tie games. Newer streaks usually include only wins and losses.
Top MLB Teams With Legendary Winning Streaks
Several teams stand out in Major League Baseball for long winning streaks that shaped their seasons. These runs show how strong pitching, steady hitting, and timing can align over weeks of play.
Chicago Cubs: The 1935 Run
The Chicago Cubs put together one of the longest winning streaks in MLB history in 1935. They won 21 straight regular-season games.
This streak began in early September and pushed the Cubs to a 100–54 record. The team relied on strong pitching and consistent defense.
Key facts from the streak:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Season | 1935 |
| Wins in a row | 21 |
| League | National League |
The run ended late in September. It secured first place for the Cubs.
Oakland Athletics and the Moneyball Era
The Oakland Athletics won 20 straight games during the 2002 season. This streak became a defining moment of the Moneyball era.
The team used data-driven decisions and roster depth to stay competitive. They won close games, often by small margins.
Important details:
- Season record: 103–59
- Streak length: 20 games
- Ended by: Minnesota Twins
The streak drew national attention and later appeared in books and film. It stands as the longest streak in American League play since expansion.
Chicago White Sox: 1906 Champions
The Chicago White Sox won 19 consecutive games during the 1906 season. That run helped set up one of the most unexpected championship seasons in MLB history.
The team focused on speed, defense, and pitching. They scored fewer runs than most contenders but limited opponents even more.
Key points from 1906:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Wins in a row | 19 |
| Final record | 93–58 |
| Outcome | World Series title |
The streak played a major role in their success. It remains a benchmark among early Major League Baseball teams with long winning streaks.
Other Notable Franchise Streaks Across MLB History
Several franchises built long winning streaks that shaped playoff races and changed seasons. These runs show how strong pitching, timely hitting, and depth can carry a team for weeks.
The teams below posted some of the most important streaks outside the all-time records.
St. Louis Cardinals and the Modern Era
The St. Louis Cardinals delivered one of the most important modern streaks in 2021. They won 17 straight games, the longest streak in franchise history during the Modern Era.
The run started in mid-September when St. Louis sat outside the playoff picture. The streak pushed the team into a Wild Card spot.
Strong pitching led the way, with consistent starts and a steady bullpen. This streak stands out for both length and timing.
New York Yankees: Multiple Dominant Runs
The New York Yankees appear often when discussing the longest winning streaks in MLB history. Their most famous run came in 1947, when they won 19 straight games during a championship season.
That streak helped secure a strong league lead. The team combined elite pitching with power hitting.
New York also produced several other long streaks across different eras. This consistency separates them from most franchises.
Baltimore Orioles and the Consistent Threat
The Baltimore Orioles matched a 14-game winning streak twice, most recently in 1973. That run came during a period when Baltimore controlled the American League East.
The 1973 team relied on balanced lineups and elite starting pitching. They rarely allowed big innings and forced opponents into low-scoring games.
This streak tied the franchise’s best mark from the early 1900s. The streak remains a key part of the franchise’s peak years.
Minnesota Twins and Recent Streaks
The Minnesota Twins posted a 15-game winning streak in 1991, a season that ended with a World Series title. The streak helped them climb the standings and build momentum before October.
Strong defense and contact hitting defined that run. The Twins avoided strikeouts and pressured teams with steady offense.
Pitchers consistently worked deep into games. Minnesota has not matched that length since.
Comparative Analysis: Streaks by Era and League
Long winning streaks reflect how teams handled competition, rules, and travel in their time. Differences across eras and leagues show how baseball changed and how rare extended dominance became.
19th-Century Versus Modern Baseball Streaks
Teams in the 1800s often faced uneven competition and loose schedules. This setup allowed longer streaks, especially for top clubs.
The Chicago White Stockings won 21 straight games in 1880. The Boston Beaneaters posted multiple long streaks in the same era.
These runs came against small leagues with fewer teams and limited travel. Modern streaks stand out because of balance and depth.
The 2017 Cleveland Indians won 22 straight games, the longest streak in the American League. That run ranks just behind the 1916 New York Giants.
Today’s teams face larger schedules, deeper pitching staffs, and constant roster changes. These changes make long streaks harder to sustain.
Differences Between National League and American League Runs
The National League owns the longest streaks on record. The 1916 Giants won 26 straight games.
Early National League teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston clubs posted frequent long runs. Stable rosters and fewer teams helped these streaks.
The American League developed later and added structural changes. The designated hitter, deeper bullpens, and larger leagues reduced streak length.
The Cleveland Indians’ 22-game run remains the longest American League winning streak. Early AL teams such as the Boston Americans showed promise, but modern AL streaks reflect parity more than dominance.
Franchise Records: Longest Streaks by Each Team
Several MLB teams set franchise marks during short windows where losses stopped. These runs often shaped playoff races and still define team history.
### Current MLB Teams’ Record Runs
Some long-standing teams hold records that remain hard to match. The San Francisco Giants own the Modern Era record with a 26-game streak in 1916.
Other notable franchise marks:
| Team | Longest Streak | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers | 14 | 2025 |
| Atlanta Braves | 15 | 2000 |
| Seattle Mariners | 15 | 2001 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 16 | 1909 |
The Brooklyn Robins, later known as the Brooklyn Dodgers, set a 15-game mark in 1924. The New York Highlanders, now the Yankees, reached 19 wins in 1947.
Older clubs like the Philadelphia Athletics and Washington Senators also posted long streaks in the early 1900s.
### Expansion Teams and Their Best Streaks
Expansion teams often have shorter winning records. Several still reached double-digit streaks.
The Toronto Blue Jays hit 11 straight wins multiple times. Their most recent streak came in 2015.
The San Diego Padres reached 14 wins in 1999. That remains their best run.
Other examples show the limits expansion teams face:
- Miami Marlins: max of 9 wins, never reached 10
- Colorado Rockies: topped out at 11 wins
- Kansas City Royals: reached 16 wins in 1977
- Texas Rangers: best run stayed below historic league leaders
The Significance and Legacy of MLB Winning Streaks
The longest winning streaks in MLB history do more than fill record books. They affect playoff paths and define how teams see themselves.
These streaks also create moments that shape how Major League Baseball remembers greatness.
Postseason Outcomes Following Long Streaks
Long MLB winning streaks often raise expectations, but they do not guarantee postseason success.
The 1916 New York Giants hold the longest winning streak in MLB history at 26 games. They still lost the World Series that year.
Short rest, tougher opponents, and playoff pressure can reset momentum quickly. Some teams carry streak energy into October.
The late‑1990s Yankees paired strong regular seasons with deep playoff runs.
Key patterns often appear:
- Elite pitching depth matters more in the postseason
- Timing of the streak late in the season can help seeding
- Roster health often decides outcomes, not past wins
How Winning Streaks Shape Franchise Identity
MLB winning streaks can become a lasting part of a team’s identity. Fans and media often link streaks to eras of trust and leadership.
The Yankees’ repeated streaks built a reputation for dominance. Historic MLB winning streaks show this pattern.
For smaller market teams, a long streak can change how the league views the franchise.
These streaks often lead to:
- Increased attendance and fan loyalty
- Long‑term confidence in team leadership
- Higher expectations for future seasons
Even when records fall later, the streak remains a reference point for success.
Memorable Moments and Statistical Rarities
The longest winning streaks create rare stats that stand out in Major League Baseball.
Long runs often feature walk‑off wins and extra‑inning games.
Pitchers can deliver extended scoreless streaks during these stretches.
Some streaks last for months and include ties, which MLB rules still count.
Others continue across different seasons, making them even more unique.
Common statistical markers include:
- Low team ERA during the streak
- High run differential over short periods
- Few lineup changes, showing roster stability
