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MLB playoff predictions 2025: Sporting News projects World Series winner, breakout stars and more | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 3:05 GMT by Sporting News
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MLB Playoff Predictions 2025: Who’s Expected to Rise, Who’s Likely to Fall

As the 2025 Major League Baseball season unfolds, Sporting News has released its most comprehensive playoff preview yet. In a 1,200‑word feature, the outlet pulls together power rankings, division charts, and expert commentary to give readers a clear picture of which clubs are poised for postseason glory—and which might be left on the outskirts of the playoff bubble. Below is a concise rundown of the article’s key takeaways, broken down by league, division, and individual teams, with a look at the underlying reasons for each prediction.

1. The Power Rankings That Set the Stage

At the heart of Sporting News’s analysis is a detailed power ranking list that assigns a numeric value to each of the 30 MLB clubs. The rankings reflect recent performance, off‑season acquisitions, injury updates, and statistical projections from the Baseball‑Reference and FanGraphs models. The top of the list sees the Los Angeles Dodgers (AL 1) and New York Yankees (AL 2) firmly in the lead, followed by the Chicago Cubs (AL 3) and New York Mets (NL 4). The article explains that the Dodgers’ return of stars like Max Muncy and the Yankees’ continued focus on offense—particularly with Aaron Judge’s power surge—are central to their high positions.

The rankings also spotlight several dark‑horse candidates. The Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies both receive high marks despite not being traditionally considered playoff staples. Sporting News cites the Twins’ solid pitching staff and the Phillies’ offensive depth, notably the emergence of Bryce Harper’s leadership role and a strong bullpen built on veterans such as J.C. Martinez.

2. Division‑by‑Division Breakdown

American League East

• New York Yankees: Predicted to clinch the division by a comfortable margin. Their high‑offense output, powered by Judge, Judge, and the emerging talent of Luis Gil, is highlighted as a key advantage.
• Baltimore Orioles: Sporting News projects a narrow win over the Twins for the AL East title. The Orioles’ improved pitching, led by Chris Sale’s resurgence, is seen as a turning point.
• Boston Red Sox: Despite a shaky start, the Red Sox are expected to finish second, thanks to a balanced roster that includes Chris Sale’s veteran presence and an improved bullpen.

The article links to the AL East Standings page for real‑time updates and to the Yankees vs. Orioles game recaps, offering readers quick access to the latest matchups.

American League Central

• Chicago Cubs: Predicted to secure the division with a solid pitching rotation featuring Kyle Hendricks and rookie sensation Ben Brown.
• Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers’ offensive punch, featuring Christian Yelich and rookie pitcher Nick Lodolo, is seen as the main reason for their predicted second-place finish.
• Detroit Tigers: While the Tigers’ young core is promising, Sporting News forecasts a mid‑season slump that could push them out of the playoff race.

Readers can find links to the Cubs vs. Brewers series recap and a Tigers injury report.

American League West

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Predicted to dominate the AL West, thanks to a balanced lineup and a pitching staff that includes Clayton Kershaw’s veteran poise.
• San Diego Padres: The Padres’ aggressive trade deadline moves, especially the acquisition of Manny Machado, give them a realistic chance to contend.
• Oakland Athletics: The Athletics’ budget-friendly model, featuring a mix of veteran talent and promising prospects, positions them as a dark‑horse candidate.

The article offers a link to the Padres trade deadline recap and a Dodgers pitching analysis.

National League East

• New York Mets: Forecasted to win the division, driven by the duo of Mookie Betts and Jacob deGrom’s dominant arm.
• Philadelphia Phillies: Expected to finish second, with a balanced roster featuring Bryce Harper and a deep bullpen.
• Miami Marlins: While a resurgence in offensive stats is noted, Sporting News predicts the Marlins will miss the playoffs due to inconsistent pitching.

The Mets vs. Phillies series highlight is linked, providing readers with game highlights.

National League Central

• St. Louis Cardinals: Predicted to lead the NL Central, buoyed by a strong offense and a pitching rotation that includes Nolan Ryan and a young right‑hander.
• Cincinnati Reds: Expected to finish second, with a roster that includes a high‑scoring lineup and a solid bullpen.
• Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers are again highlighted as a wild card contender in the NL, due to their depth on both sides of the ball.

The article includes a link to the Cardinals’ pitching stats and a Reds vs. Brewers recap.

National League West

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Once again, the Dodgers are poised to take the NL West, with a lineup featuring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and a solid bullpen anchored by Kenley Jansen.
• San Diego Padres: A potential second‑place finish is seen as realistic thanks to a deep pitching staff and a well‑balanced lineup.
• Colorado Rockies: Predicted to finish third, with a focus on their offense and the need to improve pitching depth.

Links to the Dodgers’ offense overview and Padres’ pitching changes are provided.

3. Playoff Seeding and Wild‑Card Outlook

Sporting News goes beyond division predictions to forecast playoff seedings. The Yankees and Dodgers are projected to secure the top two seeds in their respective leagues, while the Cubs and Mets are likely to take the third and fourth spots. The article explains that the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies could capture the coveted wild‑card spots thanks to their strong pitching and offensive stats.

Additionally, the feature dives into how the post‑season format change—expanding the wildcard round to include a third team per league—could affect the playoff dynamics. This is accompanied by a link to the MLB playoff format 2025 for readers who want to understand the new rules in detail.

4. Key Players to Watch

Sporting News singles out several players who could tilt the playoff landscape in favor of their teams:

• Aaron Judge (Yankees): His home‑run power remains a constant threat.
• Max Muncy (Dodgers): His all‑round play is expected to be pivotal in the Dodgers’ offense.
• Mookie Betts (Mets): A balanced contributor at both the plate and the field.
• Christian Yelich (Brewers): The veteran’s performance could push the Brewers into the top of the AL Central.
• Bryce Harper (Phillies): His leadership and clutch hitting are highlighted as essential for a postseason push.

The article links to individual player statistics pages (via MLB’s official site) for deeper dives.

5. What It Means for Fans

The Sporting News preview not only predicts outcomes but also offers actionable advice for fans. Those following the Yankees and Dodgers might consider watching the early home‑game lineups to spot emerging patterns in pitching usage, while Mets fans are urged to keep a close eye on Jacob deGrom’s health. Additionally, the article encourages readers to track the off‑season trade rumor mill via links to MLB trade updates, ensuring that fans can stay informed on potential roster shifts that could impact the playoff picture.

Bottom Line

In Sporting News’s 2025 MLB playoff preview, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees dominate the power rankings and division predictions, with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets also projecting strong postseason runs. Dark‑horse teams such as the Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers receive notable attention for their potential to break into the playoffs. By linking to real‑time standings, player stats, and game recaps, the article provides fans with a comprehensive roadmap to navigating the 2025 season, from day‑one games to the final World Series showdown.