By the end of the first month of the 2025 MLB season, baseball fans already have plenty of things to chat about. There are breakout teams, MVP candidates on fire, injuries, and players on the rise. This season has been everything but predictable. The standings show that the Detroit Tigers are at the top of the American League Central at 21–12. Detroit is a shocker to almost everyone by being one of the better-paced teams in the league, with 49 wins since last August, second in all of baseball during that period. Their young core (Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter) has shown promise, and their pitching staff is keeping the games close.
In the AL East, the New York Yankees are hanging on to a 19–14 record, even with Gerrit Cole being out for the season Nonetheless, Aaron Judge continues to show his dominance and is doing his best to carry the team with a impressive .432 average, 10 home runs and 33 RBIs. And in the AL West, after a slow start, the Seattle Mariners have gotten it together, winning seven straight games. They have been on a roll with players like Cal Raleigh and Jorge Polanco pitching in big moments. They have lost outfielders Victor Robles and Ryan Bliss for the season, but that has stopped anything so far.
Moving to the other side of the bracket, the National League looks more familiar at the top. The Los Angeles Dodgers (22–10) have returned to their old form with the rookie sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has a remarkable 0.90 ERA. The Chicago Cubs (22–11), one of the most fun teams to watch, have turned themselves into a threat in the Central with the addition of Kyle Tucker from Houston. Their offense is deep and explosive, with too many contributors to list. The New York Mets (20–13) in the NL East have one of the best cores in baseball and are finally on track. Things haven’t been all smooth sailing. Injuries are beginning to play a role in the playoff picture. In addition to Cole, the Cubs have lost ace Justin Steele to elbow surgery, and the Dodgers are down both Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow due to shoulders.
The early season doesn’t want big performances. Aaron Judge looks like the clear favorite for the AL MVP right now, while Kyle Tucker and Fernando Tatis Jr. are locked in a race in the NL. Tatis is back with a vengeance for the Padres, hitting .381 with great speed and flair. Cal Raleigh also leads the leagues in home runs with 12, and MacKenzie Gore has done his part for the nationals with 59 strikeouts.
There are some unexpected names in the AL. Garrett Crochet of Boston was able to pick up from the White Sox and has been outstanding. Max Fried has stepped up in Cole’s absence and is sporting a 5-0 record with a 1.01 ERA. In the NL, Yamamoto looks like the favorite early on, but Zack Wheeler of the Phillies and righty Nick Martinez of the Padres are keeping that race interesting.
What has made this season enjoyable is that some historically bad teams have risen. The San Francisco Giants are winning multiple games by dramatic means, fueled by clutch hitting from Jung Hoo Lee and veteran Matt Chapman. The Oakland A’s are taking advantage of their low expectations and getting significant production from rookies like Tyler Soderstrom and Nick Kurtz. And even the Boston rookies, Wilyer Abreu and Kristian Campbell, are off to great starts!
Looking forward, the playoff picture is still very much in full effect. The Tigers and Yankees in the AL look strong, but the Astros and Guardians aren’t far behind. The Mariners could grab a wild card spot if their bullpen can stay healthy. In the NL, the Dodgers and Mets look like postseason locks, while the Cubs, Padres, and Giants could turn the West and Central into a bloodbath. The Reds, too, are raising eyebrows with a +43 run differential.
Although it’s a long way from the World Series, the Mets and Dodgers will be on a collision course if current trends hold. Then again, in a season this unpredictable, it’s best not to assume anything. This 2025 season has shown promise, and fans cannot wait for what’s to be held.
