The 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is officially underway, with all 30 ball clubs opening their seasons last week. As always, opening day comes with a sense of optimism for all baseball fans, which is sure to be dampened after the first borderline pitch goes the wrong way. Last year, I wrote this same article making five bold predictions after the first week. I got them all wrong. But that won’t deter me from trying again. So, in the spirit of opening day and new beginnings, here are five predictions for the 2025 MLB season:
A’s Make the Playoffs
Despite their off-field controversies, the Athletics have assembled an intriguing roster. Brent Rooker and newly extended Lawrence Butler headline a young and potentially dynamic offense. On the other side of the ball, offseason acquisition Luis Severino leads the rotation, while the fireballing Mason Miller resumes closing duties. The American League West division is strong, but every team has flaws. The Texas Rangers are coming off of a down year, and it remains to be seen if they can bounce back. The Houston Astros are not the juggernaut they used to be and are positionally challenged enough to start Jose Altuve in left field. The Seattle Mariners, despite their dominant staff, do not have much of an offense, and the Los Angelos Angels are the worst team in the division.
The Cardinals Voodoo Magic is Back
The St. Louis Cardinals had a stretch in the 2010s of never missing the playoffs but have now been on the outside looking in for two straight years. In an atrocious division that couldn’t be more wide open, why not the Cardinals? The Red Bird’s roster doesn’t impress, but they have made do with less in the past. The rotation is experienced, the offense still has Nolan Arenado and some interesting young pieces around him, and the bullpen is solidified around Ryan Helsley. Watch out for the Cardinals to potentially stick around and find a way into October baseball with an 88-win season.
Sandy Alcantara Rebounds
After missing the entire 2024 campaign, Sandy Alcantara has fallen under the radar for a former Cy Young winning pitcher in his age-29 season. His first outing of the 2025 season was unassuming at face value as he went 4.2 innings allowing two runs, but his output was elite. His fastball was in the upper 90s, and he had no problem missing bats. The Marlins are likely to deal Alcantara at the deadline, but I don’t think that stops him from putting up a phenomenal year as one of the best inning-eaters in the sport. He has shown the ability to be effective deep into outings and with some of the best velocity and movement in the sport, do not be surprised at a Sandy Alcantara resurgence.
Mike Trout, please?
This is a pick from the heart, and one that all baseball fans can root for. We need one more Trout season. I made this same pick last year, and despite it being 6 years since Mike Trout played a healthy season, there are very few things I want more. When he plays, there is no denying that he is still one of the very best players in the sport. All conventional logic dictates that we will not see another healthy season out of the Millville Meteor. The precedent for aging outfielders forced to switch positions in the hopes of avoiding injury is not good, but baseball has a tendency to create compelling stories. Hopefully, for all baseball fans, this will be one of those times.
Jackson Holliday Redemption
The Baltimore Orioles called up Jackson Holliday, the #1 overall prospect and son of former 7-time all-star, Matt Holliday in 2024 and had disappointing results. Holliday struggled mightily at the plate, batting below the Mendoza line at .189, and wasn’t able to slug or steal enough to make up for his lack of contact. But I still believe in him. He has more than enough talent and is still only 21 years old. The Orioles are a contending team but will still find plenty of at-bats for their young second basemen. I think we see a semi-breakout for Holliday as he posts a 20/20 season while holding down the middle infield for the O’s.
