MLB’s 2025 season is here, brimming with compelling narratives. All eyes will be on the loaded Los Angeles Dodgers, a team guaranteed to generate headlines. Meanwhile, Juan Soto’s blockbuster move to the Mets, courtesy of a record-breaking deal from owner Steve Cohen, adds major intrigue to the National League. While the NL boasts strong contenders, the American League landscape appears refreshingly unpredictable.
With MLB Opening Day on Thursday, NBC Sports is here to break it all down.
Can the Dodgers possibly be beat?
D.J. Short: The randomness of baseball is a feature, not a bug. So yes, the Dodgers can be beat. Weird things happen all the time, especially when you get to the small sample size of the playoffs. There’s also the matter of the Dodgers’ rotation in general. There’s depth, sure, but most of their arms carry some questions. The Dodgers should absolutely be heavy favorites, and given their investments and all the fanfare, anything short of a repeat should be considered a disappointment.
Eric Samulski: Of course they can be beat. Anybody can. I know their pitching staff is a CVS receipt-long list of talented names, but what did Kevin Costner say in “Bull Durham”? “Relax. Strikeouts are boring.” The Dodgers are the odds-on favorite, but they also have an older lineup that is already banged up. A full season of health is hard for any team, but it feels like more of an uphill climb for the Dodgers.
Who will be this season’s breakout star?
Samulski: When it comes to baseball, breakouts tend to be fueled by home runs or strikeouts. When Junior Caminero hits more than 30 home runs in the Tampa Bay Rays’ new minor-league ballpark in the hot, Florida humidity, people are going to take notice. Maybe not Rays fans, who don’t seem to go to games, but the larger baseball world is going to turn on Caminero’s at-bats as appointment viewing.
Short: We saw Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels emerge as the breakout star in the NFL this past season, and we’ll stay in the nation’s capital here with outfielder Dylan Crews. The 23-year-old didn’t have great results after being called up late last season, but he showed a strong approach to go along with game-changing speed. It’s a dynamic skill set that will surely lead to viral moments for his baserunning and defensive exploits. Like Daniels, Crews was also drafted No. 2 overall out of LSU. He’s capable of keeping this comparison going and winning the MLB Rookie of the Year Award while getting Washington back to respectability.
AL East Crown: A Red Sox Surprise?
Pre-injury predictions for the AL East looked different, especially with the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole and Luis Gíl. However, the Red Sox are now emerging as the division’s strongest contender. Their pitching staff has been significantly bolstered by the additions of Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, while the offensive lineup gains a new dimension with Alex Bregman and rookie Kristian Campbell. Concerns linger over the Yankees’ pitching depth and overall lineup strength. Meanwhile, the Orioles face a logjam of young talent and a less-than-stellar starting rotation.
Samulski’s Take: The Red Sox are the team to beat. Garrett Crochet stands out as the AL East’s premier pitcher. A healthy Rafael Devers anchors a deep and potent lineup, further enhanced by the potential of top prospects like Campbell, Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Ceddanne Rafaela. After a period of development, “the kids” are finally ready to lead the Red Sox.
The Sleeper Teams of 2025: Who Will Surprise?
Samulski: Expect the Oakland A’s to contend for a Wild Card spot, a bittersweet prospect given their impending relocation. Their lineup boasts promising hitters like Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, and Jacob Wilson. While the additions of Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs might not be headline-grabbing, they represent a significant upgrade to their pitching rotation, suggesting the A’s will be competitive for longer than many anticipate.
Short: Look for the Cincinnati Reds to break their postseason drought, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (excluding the shortened 2020 season). The return of Terry Francona as manager fuels this narrative, but the Reds also possess significant talent and several young players on the cusp of a breakout. Don’t underestimate how close they are to challenging the Cubs in their division.
