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American League East — Boston Red Sox
American League Central — Detroit Tigers
Detroit will stack wins by having one of the top pitching staffs in baseball. AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is arguably the top ace in the league. They brought back Jack Flaherty who is coming off a stellar year. Plus, former No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize started to figure things out in ’24. Watch out for Jackson Jobe — one of Detroit’s top prospects — to make a splash with the Major League club this year.
American League West — Houston Astros
Oakland and Los Angeles will be competing for the worst record in the American League. Seattle can’t figure it out offensively. The 2023 World Series champion Rangers have too many injury question marks. Houston still has elite hitters in Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve, and they added a power bat in Christian Walker. It might not be a 100-win team, but the Astros do just enough to win the division.
American League Wild Cards — Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays
Baltimore’s offense could be among the league’s best. Led by shortstop Gunnar Henderson, the Orioles feature a group of young stars ready to make a leap. The Royals lock up a spot with MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. and Cy Young candidate Cole Ragans. Kansas City should be able to stack up wins in a weaker AL Central. The last spot goes to Tampa Bay who could surprise some people. Ace starter Shane McClanahan is set to return, and youngster Junior Caminero is one of the most exciting prospects in baseball. The obvious omission here are the reigning AL Pennant winner Yankees. New York could face some problems with a lack of depth in their pitching staff and their lineup. The Yankees are unlikely to bottom out, but even a single extended absence for Aaron Judge could end their playoff hopes in a tough AL East.
National League East — Atlanta Braves
The Mets added Juan Soto. The Phillies are stacked from top-to-bottom. Still, the Braves cannot be overlooked. Ronald Acuna Jr.’s return will act as an ignitor for the offense. An offense that will shred pitching staff all year long. Chris Sale leading a staff of young, live arms should be enough to get them by from a pitching standpoint. Even in a down year, the Braves still managed 89 wins in 2024. They’ll be closer to 100 in ’25, which should be enough to get them the NL East crown.
National League Central — Milwaukee Brewers
Two years ago, the Brewers traded Josh Hader and still won 92 games and the division. Last year, they traded Corbin Burnes and won 93 games and the division. This offseason, they traded Devin Williams and will attempt for an NL Central three-peat. It’s a younger roster than Milwaukee has been accustomed to — 32-year-old Christian Yelich is projected to be the oldest player on the Opening Day roster. However, with studs like William Contreras and Jackson Chourio, the Brewers have enough firepower to fend off the other NL Central contenders.
National League West — Los Angeles Dodgers
National League Wild Card — Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs
Though the Dodgers should run away with the division, the Diamondbacks will comfortably earn a Wild Card spot. Arizona scored more runs than any team in the regular season last year, and boasts one of the league’s best 1-2 combos at the top of their rotation in Zac Gallen and Corbin Burnes. The Phillies’ five-man rotation has a chance to be special after adding Jesus Luzardo into the mix. And, we’ll never doubt an offense led by Bryce Harper and Trea Turner. The last spot goes to an improved Cubs team. Chicago traded for two former Houston stars in OF Kyle Tucker and RP Ryan Pressley. They finished last year strong and will carry that momentum into 2025
American League Pennant — Boston Red Sox
From out of the playoffs in ’24, to a World Series berth in ’25. The Red Sox are geared for a big run. Offensively, they boast a good mix of power, speed, and bat-to-ball skills. They have a blend of righties and lefties that Cora can mix and match throughout the year. Though most won’t start on the Major League team, Boston has several promising youngsters in their farm system who could potentially make their presence known in ’25. And, it doesn’t feel like they’re done adding to their team. If a top arm becomes available midseason, don’t be surprised if the Red Sox make a splash.
National League Pennant — Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers’ path to the World Series won’t be quite so easy. One of the National League East teams will make a big splash before the deadline to make a push. Arizona embarrassed Los Angeles in the 2023 playoffs and will be a tough team to face in a playoff format with Gallen and Burnes. However, the Dodgers will more than likely have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They have more than enough talent to withstand several potential injuries. It won’t be a clean sweep, but the Dodgers advance to the World Series for the second straight year.
World Series Winner — Los Angeles Dodgers
A rematch of the 2018 World Series which saw the Red Sox win in five games and Steve Pearce win MVP honors. Game 3 is the one most baseball fans remember — an 18-inning classic that saw Max Muncy hit a walk-off home run. There are some familiar faces in this matchup. Mookie Betts is playing for the Dodgers this time around while Walker Buehler is with the Red Sox. Boston wouldn’t go down quietly, but an LA onslaught feels inevitable. A team starring Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and so many others. The Dodgers win two in a row, and whispers of a “dynasty” begin surfacing.
