Spring has sprung! Granted, the Cubs and Dodgers already kicked off the '25 regular season in Japan on St. Patrick's Day, but really everything begins in earnest on March 27th (which is still too early). I'm guardedly optimistic about my Royals after a surprise playoff run last year, but after only three playoff appearances since Reagan was president, any October ball is frosting on the cake. Regardless, I intend to catch a bunch of minor league games this year, both out of state and at 35th and Shields.
*notes wild card
NL EAST
1. Braves. Keep Sale away from/the scissors; if healthy, look/out; depth is crucial.
2. Mets.* Juan puzzle piece from/contention; Kodai moments/few and far between.
3. Phillies. High-paid vets rack up/K's; Trea's summer fade hinders/consistent roster.
4. Nationals. Lack of impact guys/curbs youngsters' growth spurt; will Gore/ever be an ace?
5. Marlins. Another fishy/fire sale; Sandy, Weathers/squandered; sixty wins.
NL CENTRAL
1. Cubs. Talent on paper/hasn't done much; Tucker must/rake or Hoyer's toast.
2. Brewers. Good farm system fuels/Crew; lack of power, bullpen/questions still persist.
3. Reds. Tito's handmade crew/new faces takes burden off/Jeimer and Elly.
4. Pirates. Skenes leads sneaky-good/rotation; offense too soft/to really threaten.
5. Cardinals. Expect another/slog; transition to Chaim/won't start with "mazel!"
NL WEST
1. Dodgers. Too rich, too gifted/to fail; stud rotation can/withstand injuries.
2. Padres*. Ownership dispute/is slightly more compelling/than this good roster.
3. D-Backs*. Yet another west/team with great pitching; maybe/move to the Central?
4. Giants. No one is hitting/30 jacks here; another/pitching-first lineup.
5. Rockies. High altitude, low/bar to clear; the sole Victor/is pitcher Vodnik.
AL EAST
1. Yankees. Low ERA arms/cover Cole's absence; Volpe/breakout, overdue.
2. Orioles*. Potent young bats cool/off in the fall; with Burnes gone/who is the ace here?
3. Red Sox*. Bregman seizes hot/corner; Roman (Anthony)/empire rises.
4. Rays. Minor league park means/short fence dingers; too bad their/bats are Triple-A.
5. Blue Jays. Vlad Junior can't score/by himself; aged rotation/stopgap for rebuild.
AL CENTRAL
1. Guardians. Kwan, Jose set the/offense tone; if Williams/stays healthy, watch out!
2. Royals*. Witt, Pasquatch, Salvy/...then a drop-off. India/inked to upgrade bats.
3. Tigers. Can Gleyber adjust/to deep new digs? Young SPs/make these kitties purr.
4. Twins. On paper, righties/fear this lineup; injuries/give fans deja vu.
5. White Sox. Fifty wins is not/impossible; low Rate of/sudden turnaround.
AL WEST
1. Rangers. Texas-size IL/looks all clear (for now); will we/ever see deGrom?
2. Astros. More with less, again/good young arms hope Alvarez/stays healthy all year.
3. Mariners. J-Rod must find his/sea legs after down year; can/other bats Raleigh?
4. Angels. Another so-so/rotation abrades weary/Trout's move to DH.
5. Athletics. Unhomed pachyderms/Rooker, Butler will score runs/in... Sacramento?
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr, Royals
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal, Tigers
NL Cy Young: Zack Wheeler, Phillies
AL ROY: Roman Anthony, Red Sox
NL ROY: Roki Sasaki, Dodgers
First Manager Fired: Ron Washington, Angels
2025 World Series: Dodgers over Guardians in 5
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