MLB Writers Make 2025 Predictions as Season Launches

LOS ANGELES, CA — As the 2025 Major League Baseball season kicks off, experts are unveiling their predictions for team standings and individual awards. This year’s Opening Day is set for March 27, 2025, with various intriguing storylines at play, including a discussion around potential candidates for MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year.

Among the most prominent questions is whether the Los Angeles Dodgers can defend their World Series title. The Dodgers, under the management of Andrew Friedman, are seen as favorites, buoyed by a star-studded roster. ‘I believe we can win 120 games’, remarked Dodgers player Mookie Betts, as optimism soars around Dodger Stadium.

This season will also mark the return of key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider for the Atlanta Braves, who suffered injury setbacks last year. ‘Getting our franchise cornerstones back is crucial for our playoff aspirations’, Acuña said in a recent interview. Meanwhile, the New York Mets are hoping that newly acquired Juan Soto will lead them to success against their crosstown rivals.

In the American League, the discussion is ripe around the Baltimore Orioles, who are expected to challenge the Boston Red Sox in the AL East according to predictions from ESPN writers. Tim Keown, one of ESPN’s analysts, stated, ‘The Orioles possess a budding young lineup that could outlast veteran teams like the Red Sox if their pitching holds up.’

Throughout the league, the upcoming season predictions for awards show Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals as a frontrunner for AL MVP following a stellar 2024 season where he led the league in batting average. ‘Witt might already be the best overall player in the game’, noted writer Bradford Doolittle, who sees a breakout year ahead for the young shortstop.

The Cy Young race is another hot topic, with last year’s winner Tarik Skubal favored again this season. ‘His ability to maintain low walk rates makes him a formidable competitor’, writer David Schoenfield explained.

As fans gear up for the new exciting season, experts at ESPN have acknowledged that despite the numerous predictions, outcomes in baseball are always unpredictable. ‘Every year there are surprises, and it’ll be interesting to see how the 2025 season unfolds’, said analyst Jesse Rogers. With all 30 teams set to compete, only time will tell how these predictions align with reality as the season progresses.