It is playoff time in Major League Baseball and it is safe to say that the race to the World Series is wide open. The 12 playoff entrants all have their flaws so picking a favorite to emerge is not as easy as it usually is. I believe we will have an October that is filled with thrilling storylines, classic comebacks, and amazing finishes.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the defending World Series champions and they are back. The Dodgers feature a roster of future Hall of Famers and All-Stars that carries the expectation of a deep playoff run. Their first round matchup is against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds are just happy to be here, having made the playoffs in a full 162-game season for the first time since 2013.
Though the Dodgers are vulnerable due to having a shaky bullpen, I have to think they will top a young Reds team.
If the Dodgers advance, they will meet the Philadelphia Phillies in the next round. The Phillies find themselves atop the list as a slight favorite to win the World Series at +450, but the Dodgers are not far behind at +500.
Considering the fact that the Dodgers don’t have a bye, it is a bit surprising to see them considered that much more a favorite than the Milwaukee Brewers (+800), who had the best record in MLB and have a bye. Still, this is a reflection of the Dodgers’ ceiling due to their immense talent.
The Seattle Mariners are the slight favorite in the American League, which makes sense because they have the bye, and also would not have to face the New York Yankees if they advanced past the Boston Red Sox.
Looking at the field of 12 teams who could win the 2025 World Series, I see six teams I think could win it all. Look for the Dodgers to make a run along with the Phillies, the Brewers, and the San Diego Padres from the National League. The American League is slightly weaker as I feel only the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays as title contenders.
Only time will tell if these predictions prove to be right, or if an underdog can find their way through October to pull off a World Series upset win. I will update these thoughts in these pages as Fall Baseball continues and a World Series Champion is crowned.
