2025 MLB season predictions: Division winners, playoffs, major awards
MLB editors Michael Bradburn, Josh Goldberg, Bryan Mcwilliam, Tom Ruminski, Travis Sawchik, Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb, Brandon Wile, and Ben Wrixon make their predictions for the 2025 season.
Jump to: National League I Postseason I Major Awards
Why the Red Sox will win the division: The Red Sox, while not a perfect team, arguably boast this division's most balanced roster. When you put that up against the Yankees' injury woes and the glaring flaws on some of the other rosters here, the path for Boston becomes clear. The AL East is going to run through Fenway for the first time since 2018. - Sharkey-Gotlieb
Why the Blue Jays will finish last: It isn't that I believe Toronto is a bad team. I'd probably pick the Blue Jays to win the AL Central. It's more that I feel the franchise is the most likely to blow up its roster should things go poorly ahead of the trade deadline. With a difficult early schedule and so many core players on the verge of free agency, the Blue Jays need everything to go right from the start. - Wile
Why the Guardians will win the division: The AL Central looks relatively unimposing once again. The Guardians' roster is similar to the one that won 92 games last season, a division title, and advanced to the ALCS. Josh Naylor was traded to Arizona, but Kyle Manzardo is more than capable of filling the void. The rotation and bullpen are still solid, making the Guardians the team to beat. - Goldberg
Why the Tigers will finish fourth: Detroit was a nice surprise last season, but it took everything going right down the stretch for that to happen. Re-signing Jack Flaherty and bringing in former Yankees Gleyber Torres and Tommy Kahnle are nice moves, but this team didn't add enough thump to a lineup that finished with a 95 wRC+ in 2024 and isn't better than the three teams ahead of it. - Mcwilliam
Why the Mariners will win the division: This is the year Seattle finally breaks through to secure its first AL West title since 2001. Armed with arguably the best rotation in baseball, the Mariners will also receive an MVP-level performance from Julio Rodríguez and bounce-back campaigns from Jorge Polanco and Randy Arozarena. The team just needs its offense to be average with such stellar starting pitching. - Ruminski
Why the Rangers will win the division: It's easy to forget the Rangers won the World Series just two years ago. Their championship hangover was rough. But most of the core is still intact, and it's now complemented by several sneaky-good players who were brought in this offseason. Joc Pederson and Jake Burger are legitimate power threats, and Chris Martin remains one of baseball's most underrated relievers. Texas is in prime position to wrangle control of the AL West. - Wrixon
Why the Braves will win the division: Atlanta somehow won 89 games last year despite unfathomably bad injury luck and regression across the board. The lineup is loaded with stars, all of whom should benefit from getting Ronald Acuña Jr. back in the fold. The eventual return of Spencer Strider, meanwhile, should elevate an already strong rotation that features reigning Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale and youngster Spencer Schwellenbach. Nothing will come easy in the NL East, but the Braves are more well-rounded than the Mets and more consistent than the Phillies. - Wrixon
Why the Brewers will win the division: Doubting the Brewers is a mistake. I picked Milwaukee to finish fourth in the NL Central in 2024, and the team went on to win its third division title in four seasons. The club has become the Rays of the NL thanks to an ability to squeeze the most out of its players, overcome the departures of its stars, trade big names before they hit free agency, and deal with payroll limitations. I just can't doubt them again. - Ruminski
Why the Cubs will win the division: The addition of Kyle Tucker gives manager Craig Counsell a true offensive game breaker. Matt Shaw, meanwhile, looks like a legitimate NL Rookie of the Year candidate. The rotation lacks a true ace but should have more than enough talent to be competitive in a division that doesn't look too imposing. - Goldberg
Why the Padres will finish ahead of the D-Backs: This was a close call since both teams are offensive powerhouses with strong rotations. It came down to the bullpens, where the Padres appear to have the upper hand, even after losing Tanner Scott in free agency. Of course, everyone looks to be playing for second behind the Dodgers. - Mcwilliam
Why the Dodgers won't win the World Series: It's hard to come up with a reason why Los Angeles won't repeat as champions. On paper, no one can match its seemingly endless depth or its deep pockets. And while there will be injuries and adversity, no team is better equipped to handle setbacks like the Dodgers. But there's a reason why MLB hasn't had a repeat champ since the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000. The season is long, and the playoffs can be a chaotic and unpredictable mess. I feel comfortable taking the field, especially considering how talented the NL looks to be once again. - Wile
Why Witt will win MVP: The Royals' superstar shortstop would have likely taken home his first MVP last season if not for Judge's brilliance. Witt's ability to hit for both average and power, along with his speed, gives him a statistical ceiling that is tailor-made for what MVP voters look for when putting together their ballots. - Goldberg
Why Ohtani will win another MVP: Ohtani doesn't have to replicate his historic 2024 season to win this award again. He was worth 9 fWAR as a designated hitter last year and is going to be pitching this time around. Even if his numbers regress slightly, he'll be more valuable than anybody else in the league. It will take a truly herculean effort to deny him his third straight award. - Wrixon
Why Crochet will win Cy Young: Get ready for the Red Sox to fully unleash the All-Star left-hander. The 25-year-old will have no restrictions in 2025, which means his 209 strikeouts over 146 innings last year was just a sample of his sky-high potential. He recorded another 30 Ks with a 0.57 ERA over just 15 2/3 innings during an absurd spring, further solidifying the belief that he can easily lead the majors in punchouts. - Ruminski
Why Wheeler will win Cy Young: It's surprising Wheeler hasn't already won a Cy Young. He's been the best pitcher in baseball since joining the Phillies in 2020. After receiving Cy Young consideration in four of his first five years in Philadelphia, he'll finally end up taking home the honor this time around. - Mcwilliam
Why Anthony will win AL ROY: Anthony is the top prospect in baseball after posting a .982 OPS at Triple-A as a 20-year-old last season. The hulking outfielder has prodigious power and an elite offensive toolbox. Despite not cracking the Opening Day roster, it will be hard to ignore Anthony's talent for too long. He'll emerge as a potent option in what's shaping up to be a deep and talented Red Sox lineup in 2025. - Goldberg
Why Sasaki will win NL ROY: Sasaki's talent is immense, and he's already had plenty of experience pitching to - and carving up - top-tier hitters in the world's second-best baseball league. With the Dodgers' pitching laboratory at his disposal, Sasaki's move to the majors should be a breeze, and he'll emerge as a key component of their star-studded rotation. - Sharkey-Gotlieb