Ryan and I had so much fun making our predictions last year that Offord decided he wanted to get in on the fun! Best part is that they do most of the writing, I just have to make predictions, and put it all together. Seems like a pretty sweet deal for me. So without further ado, here are our picks for the 2025 season!

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

RYAN	OFFORD	JOSH
Red Sox	Red Sox	Orioles
Rays	Orioles	Red Sox
Orioles	Yankees	Yankees
Yankees	Rays	Rays
Blue Jays	Blue Jays	Blue Jays

 RYAN: This could very well be the most competitive division in baseball. If any of these teams were in any other division they would definitely have a chance to win that respective division. However, I believe the Red Sox will come out on top and the Rays will be a Wild Card out of the AL East. The Red Sox added just enough to put them over the top of the rest of the division with the addition of Crochet to anchor their rotation and spending to bring in Bregman, who just won a gold glove and can probably win one if he has to change over to second base as well. People forget that the Red Sox already had Lucas Giolito in this rotation, he just didn’t pitch last year because he was recovering from tommy john. If he comes back to any semblance of the ace that he showed he could be with the white sox, this is a top tier 1-4 rotation. Not to mention having 3 experienced closers at the back end of their bullpen. The Rays always surprise, and I always pick against them, so I am trying a different avenue and predicting them to pull away from middle of the division with their usual strong pitching and timely hitting. Their prospect pool is always deep and we should be seeing a few of them creep up this season. The orioles now have all of their young studs in the big leagues for the most part, but it is only going to make for exciting offense, they lack any kind of pitching depth. The Blue Jays are hoping for a bounce back season from too many players in this line up not named Vlad Guerrero Jr. I know its a contract year for vladdy, but he cant do it all. I expect Bichette to bounce back, but I cannot say the same for Springer, et al. I am excited to see how Max Scherzer pitches this year, but he is bound to fizzle out sooner or later at the age of 40 soon to be 41.

OFFORD: I love the way Boston has gone about rebuilding their franchise, and I think they are now built to contend for a long time. Baltimore may have a slight edge in offense, but I’ll take the Sox pitching staff. Losing Burnes and Rodriguez starting on the IL will be tough for the Orioles, and it seems Eflin is not looking great either. The Yanks are suffering as well though, leaving this division wide open after the Red Sox. I initially took Tampa to finish above the Yankees because of their starting pitching depth, and I could definitely see the Rays sneaking into the playoffs. Toronto is just not on the same level as the other 4. I think they should move Guerrero and start the rebuild ASAP.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

RYAN	OFFORD	JOSH
Royals	Twins	Royals
Tigers	Royals	Guardians
Guardians	Tigers	Tigers
Twins	Guardians	Twins
White Sox	White Sox	White Sox

RYAN: The royals are just exciting! I love the addition of India to this line up. I think he rounds it out nicely, and they fact that he will be at the top of the line-up, hitting in front of an MVP favorite all season will not hurt at all. I think their starting pitching is pretty good. I am mainly focused on Ragans at this juncture. I think he can challenge Crochet for AL Cy Young. The only thing that concerns me is their bullpen, but they definitely have some power arms back there. The tigers are looking to build on late season momentum and they definitely have the pitching to continue that trend, especially with the reigning CY Young award winner. I am optimistic about some of their hitting, and hopeful to see a vintage world series winning Javy Baez back in the fold after having hip surgery to repair something that has been ailing him for a season or 2. The only reason I have the guardians over the Twins right now is because they have a better track record and find too many ways to win. They have a better bullpen than the twins, but I cannot say that their pitching is better. I will say that if Jose Ramirez does not put up a similar season to last year, the Guardians may struggle to find any power in this line up. The White Sox are accumulating prospects as they should at this point, but they will not be ready to compete until 2027-28. 

OFFORD: A bunch of middling teams, 90 wins will take the division. I think Minnesota has the most depth, and they have to avoid major injuries one of these seasons right? I’ll take the Twins with the Royals not far behind. Tigers and Guardians will likely finish around .500 as well, so I think this all comes down to health, depth, and midseason moves. The only reason all 4 teams may finish over .500 is because the White Sox exist.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST 

RYAN	OFFORD	JOSH
Rangers	Rangers	Rangers
Angels	Mariners	Astros
Athletics	Astros	Mariners
Mariners	Angels	Angels
Astros	Athletics	Athletics

RYAN: Another competitive division. Pretty much every team in this division could compete to win the NL Central. I just like the bats, the bullpen and starting pitching (if it stays healthy) in Texas. Texas has budding stars in most of their outfield and coming up in their rotation if their aging vets health falters. They have power up and down the line-up with young depth in their rotation. I like the Rangers in the world series this year. The Angels are my bold prediction of the year. I think it all comes around with Mike Trout staying healthy for the first time in 5 years and winning the MVP award this year. If that happens, this team could be in the playoffs for the second time in his career. The Athletics are what the Pirates wish they could be. They have drafted and developed well, and it is starting to come to the forefront. Do not be surprised if the athletics win this division, even in a minor league stadium. The mariners are going to be devastatingly disappointing this year. They do not have offense. None. At least outside of Julio Rodriguez. I think you could start seeing some of their “best rotation in baseball” pitching staff get traded off at the deadline. The astros are getting too old.  They only got older with the fact that they let Bregman walk on over to Boston and signing Christian Walker, who could benefit with that short porch in left, but I think his bat is slowing down too much to make a difference. They have too many pitchers coming off of elbow surgeries and not enough predictable offense to make up for it. The Astros could be in for a long season. 

OFFORD: Texas hit a tough luck streak last year, but I think they rebound this season and finish at or near the top of the AL in wins. Seattle has the pitching staff, but has not done anything for the offense. Think Pirates West, but with a little more pitching depth. I think this is the beginning of the end for the Astros dynasty. Losing Bregman was the first domino, moving another vet at the deadline will be the next. Altuve in pinstripes? Yordan in Dodger blue? Neither is out of the question… I am hoping the Angels and A’s play well since I drafted Butler, Trout, and Neto on my fantasy team, but I’m not optimistic. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

RYAN	OFFORD	JOSH
Braves	Phillies	Braves
Phillies	Braves	Mets
Mets	Mets	Phillies
Nationals	Nationals	Nationals
Marlins	Marlins	Marlins

RYAN: I think the Braves have too many bounce back candidates, after making the playoffs last year with half of their line up having down years, losing their best every day player and best pitcher before we got into July and having to ride the arm of a 35 year old ace all the way to his first Cy Young. They are just too good up and down and they have added depth and still have a stellar farm system to pull from to go along with everyone’s favorite sleeper MVP pick in Michael Harris II. Philadephia, is going to be stellar again, as usual. But their stars are starting to age a bit. They are still a world series favorite, but I can see their pitching staff taking a step back and their offense lacking the usual punch. I do not care if the Mets signed Soto to a ridiculous contract. A Winning team one player does not make. They lack pitching across the board, and it took a superhero effort from Lindor to push them into the playoffs last year. There is a reason that the Polar Bear didn’t have a ton of interest this past offseason, and it’s not every day that teams are able to turn career relievers into effective starting pitchers, like they are trying with their opening day starter, and former Pirate, Clay Holmes. I would not be surprised if the Nationals young team full of top prospects start to mature faster than everyone thinks and jump the Mets in these standings; which I would relish! The Marlins are one of two NL franchises more poorly run than the Pirates, aren’t they?

OFFORD: I believe the Phillies have one last run in them, but the big three in this division are starting to age. The Nationals will make moves in the next few seasons to own this division, and may have a chance to surprise this season. The Marlins don’t have a lot going for them so the top 3 will be able to rack up wins. 

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

RYAN	OFFORD	JOSH
Cubs	Cubs	Cubs
Reds	Brewers	Brewers
Pirates	Pirates	Cardinals
Brewers	Reds	Reds
Cardinals	Cardinals	Pirates

RYAN: The Cubs made a couple of nice moves this offseason bringing in a couple of Astros between Kyle Tucker and Pressly. Both know how to win and have been there, done that. There pitching is still solid from last season and I think you’re going to see this staff be among the best in the National League in ERA. The Reds have also been busy this offseason and have upgraded both their line up and starting rotation. Not to mention some of the best young pitching prospects in the game to go along with a healthy bounce back season from some of the their young everyday players between Encarnacion-Strand and Matt McLain. The Reds could very well win this division. It’s a toss up between the Pirates and Brewers for me. I gave the Pirates the edge because of Skenes. He’s the best pitcher in baseball and if he’s healthy all season he is going to win the Cy Young. Last time the Pirates had a Cy Young award winner we made the playoffs…I’m not as optimistic. If Jared Jones doesn’t need Tommy John, I could change my predictions to 1.Reds 2. Pirates 3. Cubs. Having the top 3 of your pitchers healthy and them being a top 3 rotation, would make a helluva difference in the Series within the division through the year. The Brewers have to have Christian Yelich, healthy. He just can’t make it happen. I do not like their pitching and they traded their best pitcher. The only reason I do not have them in last is because the Cardinals are essentially in a rebuild and will show that as soon as they find a trade Arenado will accept.

OFFORD: The Cubs seem like the clear favorite on paper, but they need a lot of young guys to step up. I don’t like what the Brewers have done with their team, and I think they start to fall in the standings the next few seasons. They do have a lot of good young bats, but just not enough pitching. Think Orioles but not as good. The Pirates will win games on the backs of their starters, but Falter will.. falter this season, and Heaney has looked terrible this spring. They cannot afford an injury to the big 3 if they hope to be anywhere near competitive, but even with good luck I think their ceiling is 0.500. The Reds have some pieces, and the Cardinals on paper seem terrible. We’ll see if they find a way to overperform.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

RYAN	OFFORD	JOSH
Dodgers	Dodgers	Dodgers
Giants	Diamondbacks	Diamondbacks
Padres	Padres	Giants
Diamondbacks	Giants	Padres
Rockies	Rockies	Rockies

RYAN: Can we pick against the Dodgers against anything. They have all of the MVP’s in their line up and if he is healthy from a pitching stand point this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ohtani challenges Skenes for the Cy Young. Oh yea, by the way…the dodgers just signed a 2 time Cy Young award winner away from a division rival. Fair? Maybe not. Do they care? Absolutely not. They are printing money and winning championships. They should make that T-shirt. I like what the Giants have been doing since Buster Posey took over. He is not playing around and making things happen. He got Chapman to sign on the dotted line and all he did was win a gold glove and he brought in a motivated Verlander, that even in his early 40s can probably be the second coming of an aged Nolan Ryan. Verlander will be a fantastic brain to pick for all of the young pitchers they have coming up from farm. I like them a lot and am rooting for them to take the division away from the Dodgers. I kind of look at the Padres as a poor man’s Phillies. They have some start power that is aging and will be competitive, but their smaller market makes it harder for them to really compete. Arizona has made some moves in free agency, especially with the corbin burnes signing…I just don’t see it as enough. Even as under rated as ketel Marte is, he is not going to be able to push them across the finish line alone and bringing in Josh Naylor is fine, I guess, but his weight is not. It will catch up sooner or later. Remember when I said there were 2 teams run more poorly than the pirates? Hi rockies.

OFFORD: I love what the Dbacks have done with their squad, and I think the best two records in the NL come out of this division. A lot of easy wins over the Rockies could mean 100+ for the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. The Padres have a solid team and will be competing for the last WC spot with the Brewers and Mets. I took the Mets by 1 win because I think Senga will have a huge year. 

PLAYOFFS

RYAN: 
NL WILD CARDS: Phillies, Reds, Giants
AL WILD CARDS: Rays, Angels, Orioles
Phillies win the World Series in 6 games

OFFORD:
NL WILD CARDS: Braves, Mets, Diamondbacks
AL WILD CARDS: Orioles, Yankees, Royals
NL WILD CARD ROUND: Mets over Cubs, Diamondbacks over Braves
AL WILD CARD ROUND: Royals over Twins, Yankees over Orioles
NL DIVISIONAL ROUND: Dodgers over Mets, Diamondbacks over Phillies
AL DIVISIONAL ROUND: Red Sox over Royals, Rangers over Yankees
NLCS: Dodgers over Diamondbacks
ALCS: Red Sox over Rangers
WORLD SERIES: Dodgers over Red Sox

Boring, I know. Doesn’t really seem fair… they spend money wisely, attract superstars, and develop young prospects better than most teams. Have to hand it to them I guess… Maybe we’ll see a big upset by the Diamondbacks or Red Sox, but as it stands now, the crown goes through LA. 

JOSH:
NL WILD CARDS: Mets, Phillies, Diamondbacks
AL WILD CARDS: Red Sox, Yankees, Astros
NL WILD CARD ROUND: Mets over Diamondbacks, Phillies over Cubs
AL WILD CARD ROUND: Red Sox over Yankees, Royals over Astros
NL DIVISIONAL ROUND: Dodgers over Phillies, Braves over Mets
AL DIVISIONAL ROUND: Rangers over Royals, Red Sox over Orioles
NLCS: Dodgers over Braves
ALCS: Rangers over Red Sox
WORLD SERIES: Dodgers over Rangers

 It is just too difficult to bet against the Dodgers right now.

AWARDS

AWARD	RYAN	OFFORD	JOSH
NL MVP	Elly De La Cruz	Shohei Ohtani	Shohei Ohtani
AL MVP	Mike Trout	Bobby Witt Jr.	Gunnar Henderson
NL CY YOUNG	Paul Skenes	Corbin Burnes	Paul Skenes
AL CY YOUNG	Cole Ragans	Garrett Crochet	Jacob deGrom
NL Rookie of the Year	Dylan Crews	Roki Sasaki	Roki Sasaki
AL Rookie of the Year	Carson Williams	Jackson Jobe	Kristian Campbell
Pirates Record	84-78	79-83	73-89

JOSH’S FINAL PREDICTION

Every year I make some final prediction. Some kind of grand theme for the season. Last year it was that the owners would put their thumb on the scale to prevent the Dodgers from winning the World Series, guess I was wrong about that one. This year I want to go a different route, no more crazy conspiracy theories. Instead, we need to think about COVID. I know, we all hate hearing about COVID, but this is something that happened back in 2020, and I believe we may start seeing the true effects on baseball this season. 

I am not sure if anyone has studied whether or not the cancellation of the 2020 season has impacted baseball players (I have read a few theoretical articles, but nothing on the stats). This is now the fifth year from that cancelled season. I think the guys who were probably affected the most were those High-A guys, who missed a year, and then were expected to either jump into AA, or had to repeat High-A. 

I think we could see a drop-off in the number of rookies who come up. Not the elite players, we will always see gifted players who come to the Big Leagues and dominate right away. No, those guys will always be fine. It is the role players, the bit players. The average guys. I remember reading somewhere that if a 1st round pick, generally after the top ten, ends up being a utility player, or relief pitcher, that is considered a success (I am not going to look up where that came from, sorry). If those types of players ended up being delayed, then there could be a lack of skilled players coming into the league over the next season or two. 

Think of it this way. If you were a 20 year old in 2020, and had made it to High-A, but then the season is cancelled. When you come back in 2021, you are now 21, and maybe repeating the same level. Coaches considered you old for that level, or maybe age appropriate for that level, so they did not give the same attention they might give to a player who is younger. If you do not break out fast enough, the coaches and Front Office, may decide to give up on you because they are not seeing the proper development. 

I am not saying this is what happened, but I think it will be interesting to see there is a decrease in players from certain draft classes making the Majors than other draft years. What year had the biggest drop, will it be noticeable? Something to think about this year.