Papa Lemieux Predicts 2025 Standings
It is time for my annual predictions for the baseball races. After much research I have come up with the correct reductions for 2025.
In the American League East, the Yankees will not recover from all their injuries and the loss of Soto. I am predicting the Boston Red Sox to finish in first place. They added Alex Bregman and a healthy Trevor Story to a strong offense. Then they added Garret Crochet. It will be difficult, but I like their chances. The next best team is the Baltimore Orioles. While they lost Corbin Burnes, there is plenty of talent left on this team with a tremendous farm system to help them over a 162 game schedule. That is followed by the Yankees, Tampa and finally Toronto. I could be off on Toronto, but I don’t see them as playoff worthy.
1. Boston
2. Baltimore
3. NY Yankees
4. Tampa Bay
5. Toronto
The American League Central is very hard to call with the exception of the White Sox. Every other team is capable of wing the division. However, someone will win it and I say it will be the Detroit Tigers. Last year in the playoffs, they upset the Astros and pushed the Guardians to a game 5. That puts them in a position of positive experience that I believe will make the difference for them. The other teams in order will be Minnesota, Kansas City and Cleveland. All three have a good chance to win the Division. Obviously, the White Sox will finish last. I predict the AL Central will not have any Wild Cards. The Wild Cards will come from the AL East and West.
1. Detroit
2. Minnesota
3. Kansa City
4. Cleveland
5. Cho White Sox
Finally in the AL West the Texas Rangers will finish in first. They will not suffer all the injuries that they had last year. While I don’t ever count on Jacob DeGrom, they are healthy with some nice offensive additions. I really like the Mariners, who always seem to find a way to miss the playoffs no matter how talented. I predict this year will see the beginning of the Astros dropping form the top and the Mariners will beat them for second place. The last two places are comfortably secured by the Angles and A’s with the Angels finishing fourth,
1. Texas
2. Seattle
3. Houston
4. LA Angles
5. Athletics
In the National League East the Atlanta Braves. Like the Rangers will not have the injury filled year like last year when they still made the playoffs. This year they should return to first. The Phillies will finish second for the simple reason that they are deeper than the Mets who will finish third. Finally the Nationals are destined for fourth while the hapless Marlins finish last. Bothe the Phillies and Mets will have a good shot at a Wild Card.
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. NY Mets
4. Washington
5. Miami
The National League Central like the American League Central do not have a team good enough to become a Wild Card. Therefore, first place will be the only playoff team. There is a lot of affection for the Cubs. However, the race will be among three teams: the Cubs, Reds and Brewers. While any of them could win the division my magic Crystal Ball says Reds in first, Brewers in second and Cubs in third but all three will compete. The Cardinal are a fourth-place team with the Pirates in the cellar.
1. Cincinnati
2. Milwaukee
3. Chi Cubs
4. St. Louis
5. Pittsburgh
Finally, the National League presents the Los Angeles Dodger with immense talent and depth throughout the whole roster. So the prediction is who will be second. That comes down to either Diamondbacks and Padres. I think the Diamondbacks have deeper pitching and will finish the second making the playoff. Once that is settled the rest of the division is simple. Padres, Giants and Rockies in that order.
1. LA Dodgers
2. Arizona
3. San Diego
4. San Francisco
5. Colorado
162 games is very long season. There will be trades, injuries, hot and cold steaks. However, in the end I believe my picks will hold up.
