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2025 MLB Season Preview
Ben Remis
March 27, 2025
Good Morning! Today is the greatest day of the year… here’s what happened in the world of sports on Wednesday, March 26.
The MLB Preview is fairly long– you can skip ahead to read it at the very end of today’s regular Remix, which is on the shorter side after a fairly slow Wednesday.
NBA
After missing two weeks with an injury, Nikola Jokic made a pass that you have to watch multiple times to understand– he also recorded his 30th triple-double of the season. Jokic and the Nuggets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 127-117.
Wednesday was quite a day for LeBron James. His hour-long interview on the Pat McAfee Show made multiple headlines, ranging from how many points Giannis would score in the 70s to LeBron’s relationship with Michael Jordan Somehow, the interview even sparked a response from Stephen A. Smith, where the outspoken First Take host claimed he would have fought the Lakers superstar if their confrontation a few weeks ago had gotten physical. When the real basketball started, LeBron struggled, scoring a shocking two-points in the first half. But we should know never to count out the greatest of all-time… LeBron stepped up in the final moments when his team needed him most:
NHL
Jason Robertson scored a hat trick in the second period, leading the Dallas Stars to a 4-3 victory against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Boston Bruins dropped their seventh game in a row, losing 6-2 last night to the Anaheim Ducks.
TENNIS
The Cinderella story continues! Alexandra Eala, a 19-year old from the Philippines, shocked the number two player in the world Iga Swiatek yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open. Ranked in the 150s before the tournament began, Eala has now beaten three Grand Slam champions and made the semifinals at one of the biggest tournaments of the year. She’ll take on American Jessica Pegula later today and try to keep the magic going. Either way, it looks like a new star may be rising in the world of tennis.
TODAY’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)
MARCH MADNESS: Welcome to the Sweet 16!
(6) BYU vs (2) Alabama, 7:09 PM on CBS
REMIX UPSET OF THE DAY: BYU (bonus: take the over!)
(4) Maryland vs (1) Florida, 7:39 PM on TBS/Max
REMIX PICK: FLORIDA
(4) Arizona vs (1) Duke, 9:39 PM on CBS
REMIX PICK: DUKE
(10) Arkansas vs (3) Texas Tech, 10:09 PM on TBS/Max
REMIX PICK: TEXAS TECH
MLB: Every game is a Big Game on Opening Day! Nationally televised contests in bold
Brewers @ Yankees, 3 PM on ESPN
Orioles @ Blue Jays, 3:07 PM
Phillies @ Nationals, 4:05 PM
Red Sox @ Rangers, 4:05 PM
Pirates @ Marlins, 4:10 PM
Giants @ Reds, 4:10 PM
Angels @ White Sox, 4:10 PM
Guardians @ Royals, 4:10 PM
Mets @ Astros, 4:10 PM
Braves @ Padres, 4:10 PM
Twins @ Cardinals, 4:15 PM
Tigers @ Dodgers, 7 PM on ESPN
Cubs @ Diamondbacks, 10:10 PM
Athletics @ Mariners, 10:10 PM
And the cherry on top of this beautiful Thursday– Backyard Baseball is out now on the App Store! The greatest video game of all-time has returned!
THE REMIX MLB PREVIEW 2025
When people ask me for my favorite holiday, this day today is my answer. Because Opening Day in baseball is unlike any other. This is the start of an 162-game journey. Through the first days of spring, the dog days of summer, and ending with the crisp wind of autumn, the game of baseball follows the path of a great story. We go through countless ups and downs, trials and tribulations, highlights and lowlights over the course of a year– baseball is a constant through all of it, reflecting our lives on beautifully manicured patches of grass. It doesn’t matter if your team has expectations of winning it all or you’ve already set your sights on next season, because today, every team begins at the same starting line (except the Cubs, who already lost two games in Tokyo!). So welcome back, baseball. Happy Opening Day.
Welcome to The Remix MLB Preview! All 30 teams are sorted in their division alphabetically, with two sentences and two key players. Our preview wraps up with awards and playoff predictions. If you’d like to place any wagers, the over/under for each team’s wins is the number currently listed on FanDuel. Hope you enjoy!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Atlanta Braves
Last year was marked by a multitude of injuries (see the key players, below), but a healthy Braves team is hoping to to get back to the playoffs and make a deep postseason run. Playing in the best division in baseball means the margin for error is razor thin, and Atlanta is relying heavily on the continued excellence of their starting pitching.
KEY PLAYERS: Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF), Spencer Strider (SP)
OVER/UNDER 93.5: I’ll take the under, but just barely
Miami Marlins
It’s no surprise that after trading away most of their good players and spending very little money during the winter, the Marlins are not a good baseball team. Keep an eye on Miami’s young starting pitching, especially 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, who makes his return from Tommy John after missing all of last season.
KEY PLAYER: Sandy Alcantara (SP)
OVER/UNDER 63.5: Way under!
New York Mets
To the surprise of sports fans everywhere, the New York Mets are a well-run organization with World Series expectations– signing Juan Soto to a record-setting contract has that effect, but he’s not the only reason to believe in the Mets. I think the rotation is still a piece or two short of a championship, but this is definitely a playoff-caliber lineup.
KEY PLAYERS: Juan Soto (OF), Francisco Lindor (SS)
OVER/UNDER 90.5: Over? Maybe I’m buying too much of the hype, but I see New York and Atlanta with the same record this year
Philadelphia Phillies
Despite questions surrounding an aging core, the Phillies are running back most of the same team they’ve had the last few seasons. While some see stagnation, I see one of the best starting rotations in the league and a proven lineup that matches up against anyone in baseball.
KEY PLAYERS: Bryce Harper (1B), Zack Wheeler (SP)
OVER/UNDER 90.5: Give me the over and Philly to win the NL East
Washington Nationals
Things are trending up on the baseball field in our nation’s capital, with promising young talent ascending to the major leagues. Still a year or so away from playoff contention, the Nationals should still be an exciting team.
KEY PLAYERS: James Wood and Dylan Crews (OF), MacKenzie Gore (SP)
OVER/UNDER 70.5: Confidently taking the over
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs
Chicago’s put together their best team in years, but outside of newly-acquired Kyle Tucker and holdovers Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ, the lineup is relying a lot on young, unproven bats that haven’t hit for much power in the big leagues. That may be enough to win a weak NL Central, but it doesn’t bode well for October.
KEY PLAYERS: Kyle Tucker (OF), Shota Imanaga (SP)
OVER/UNDER 86.5: Abstain, because my heart only allows me to see a path to the under
Cincinnati Reds
The biggest move Cincy– and maybe any organization– made this winter was hiring Terry Francona as their manager. A team bursting with exciting young hitters and pitchers, the Reds now have a proven winner capable of leading the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 (excluding 2020).
KEY PLAYERS: Elly De La Cruz (SS), Hunter Greene (SP)
OVER/UNDER 79.5: That’s definitely an over
Milwaukee Brewers
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in baseball the last five years, it’s never to bet against the Milwaukee Brewers. On paper, this roster doesn’t look too inspiring– that being said, the Brew Crew will find a way to be in the playoff hunt.
KEY PLAYERS: Jackson Chourio (OF), William Contreras (C)
OVER/UNDER 82.5: Over? I’m envisioning a scenario where the entire NL Central wins between 75 and 85 games
Pittsburgh Pirates
You probably don’t know who’s in the lineup for the Pirates this year, and that’s why this team isn’t going to compete for a playoff spot. However, Pittsburgh has one of the most promising crop of young starting pitchers in the game, and that is something for fans to be excited about.
KEY PLAYERS: Paul Skenes (SP), Oneil Cruz (CF, used to be a SS)
OVER/UNDER 75.5: The under feels like a safer bet
St. Louis Cardinals (please excuse me, I’m going to write more than two sentences)
For the first time in my life, I’m staring at a fresh season without the expectation of the St. Louis Cardinals making the playoffs. A nebulous rebuild/reset/resomething has created a roster filled with exciting young players and littered with veterans blocking everyone’s playing time and development. What should we expect from St. Louis this season? I truly have no idea. You could convince me that Nolan Arenado has a rebound season, the veteran starting pitching staff shines, and young guys like Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman unlock the best versions of themselves, leading the Cards to the playoffs. Just as likely, none of that happens and we get another frustrating season hovering around .500. The goal for 2025 is to establish a clear vision for 2026… and that is a very strange thing to admit.
KEY PLAYERS: Masyn Winn (SS), Sonny Gray (SP)
OVER/UNDER 75.5: Abstaining because I’m scared
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
Arizona Diamondbacks
This team could be sneaky good– they’ve got a young lineup, one of the best starting rotations in baseball, and postseason experience after making the World Series in 2023. Don’t sleep on the Corbins D-Backs this season.
KEY PLAYERS: Corbin Carroll (OF), Corbin Burnes (SP)
OVER/UNDER 86.5: Boldly taking the over
Colorado Rockies
Not a good team and very few interesting players! Let’s move on.
KEY PLAYER: Ezequiel Tovar (SS), Brenton Doyle (OF)
OVER/UNDER 59.5: Colorado will fight for the worst record in baseball. This is an easy under
Los Angeles Dodgers
How did the World Series Champions got even better over the offseason? If it wasn’t going to be so much fun to watch, you might be able to skip the regular season and go straight to October with the Dodgers– the most exciting and most talented team in baseball, will they defend their title?
KEY PLAYERS: Shohei Ohtani (DH), Shohei Ohtani (SP)
OVER/UNDER 105.5: A ridiculous number, but honestly hard to imagine this team ever losing a game
San Diego Padres
Facing an unfortunate ownership situation, San Diego wasn’t able to do much to improve their club over the offseason. Still a talented team that will compete for a playoff spot, I’m not sure if they can replicate the magic that almost took them to last year’s World Series.
KEY PLAYERS: Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF), Dylan Cease (SP)
OVER/UNDER 85.5: Over, but just barely
San Francisco Giants
There’s no doubt that Giants legend and new general manager Buster Posey has improved the ballclub after a busy winter. But in a stacked division, San Francisco lacks the firepower to keep up with their rivals.
KEY PLAYERS: Willy Adames (SS), Logan Webb (SP)
OVER/UNDER 79.5: This may be the best line Vegas set for any team. San Francisco will win exactly 79 or 80 games this season
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Baltimore Orioles
The young Orioles have arrived, and now they’re looking to establish themselves as perennial contenders. While the lineup could be explosive, it doesn’t appear Baltimore has the pitching to back it up.
KEY PLAYERS: Adley Rutschman (C), Gunnar Henderson (SS)
OVER/UNDER 86.5: I’ll take the under and the O’s to regress slightly after last season’s dominance
Boston Red Sox
It’s been a while since the Red Sox were true playoff competitors, but I believe this is the year they return to the mountaintop. Boston has a well-rounded roster with both proven veterans and exciting young talent, and there’s a case to be made that they are the best team in the American League.
KEY PLAYER: Garrett Crochet (SP), Rafael Devers (DH)
OVER/UNDER 86.5: This feels low… over!
New York Yankees
Juan Soto left, rookie of the year Luis Gil got hurt, Gerrit Cole is out for the season… the energy going into 2025 is not what you want if you are a Yankees fan. New York will be good this year, but if it’s possible compared to a year ago, the Yankees may somehow be relying even more on Aaron Judge to carry this team back to the World Series.
KEY PLAYERS: Aaron Judge (OF), Max Fried (SP)
OVER/UNDER 88.5: Under
Tampa Bay Rays
Playing in a minor league stadium and boasting one of the most unproven rosters in the league, the Rays might be the toughest team to evaluate this season. They could win 90 games or 65– most likely, it’s somewhere right in the middle.
KEY PLAYERS: Junior Caminero (3B), Yandy Diaz (1B)
OVER/UNDER 80.5: Again, I have no idea. But probably the under
Toronto Blue Jays
With contracts set to expire on several key players, this feels like a massive year in Toronto. On paper they have enough to be one of the better teams in the American League, but that’s been true of the Blue Jays a lot in recent years, and they don’t have many playoff wins to show for it.
KEY PLAYERS: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Max Scherzer (SP)
OVER/UNDER 79.5: Let’s be optimistic about Toronto! Give me the over
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox
Last year’s White Sox finished with the worst record in Major League history. This year’s roster may be worse.
KEY PLAYER: Luis Robert (OF)
OVER/UNDER 54.5: This number is absurdly low, and I’m still taking the under
Cleveland Guardians
The names are different, but this is a very similar Cleveland team to last season. If they can hit for enough power and the unheralded starters develop as the front office expects, the Guardians will be right back in the middle of the playoff chase.
KEY PLAYERS: Jose Ramirez (3B), Steven Kwan (OF)
OVER/UNDER 82.5: Over, right?
Detroit Tigers
A year after an unexpected but captivating playoff run, Detroit could again be one of the most exciting teams in baseball. Led by the best pitcher in baseball, it’s time for the young Tigers to take another step forward, both as individuals and as a team.
KEY PLAYER: Tarik Skubal (SP), Riley Greene (OF)
OVER/UNDER 83.5: Very confident in the over
Kansas City Royals
Just like Detroit, Kansas City’s young players arrived sooner than expected and enjoyed a postseason appearance a year ago. However, I don’t see the Royals pitching staff duplicating their stellar performance from 2024, and that may cost this team a few wins.
KEY PLAYERS: Bobby Witt Jr. (SS), Cole Ragans (SP)
OVER/UNDER 82.5: Over, because they’ll rack up wins against the White Sox
Minnesota Twins
It feels like the Twins are being passed by the younger, more exciting teams in their division. When healthy, Minnesota has a good lineup and solid rotation– I just don’t think they compare to the competition.
KEY PLAYERS: Pablo Lopez (SS), Yandy Diaz (1B)
OVER/UNDER 84.5: It’s hard to finish with 85 wins as the fourth-best team in the division. I’ll take the under
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
The Athletics
No longer in Oakland, not yet in Vegas, and not claiming Sacramento as their official team name, the Athletics are building more than just a new stadium. This team still has work to do on the way back to serious playoff contention, but the A’s are heading in the right direction.
KEY PLAYER: Brent Rooker (DH), Lawrence Butler (OF)
OVER/UNDER 71.5: Over- don’t be surprised if the Athletics reach 75 wins
Houston Astros
With no Verlander, Bregman, or Tucker, and Jose Altuve playing left field, this is a very different Houston team than years prior. Although Houston expects to compete, this may be a down year as the new-look Astros enter a mini rebuild.
KEY PLAYERS: Yordan Alvarez (DH), Framber Valdez (SP)
OVER/UNDER 86.5: I’m prepared to be way off, but give me the under and the Astros to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016
Los Angeles Angels
This isn’t the worst Angels team we’ve seen, but it’s also not very good. I just hope Mike Trout stays healthy for a full season.
KEY PLAYER: Mike Trout (OF)
OVER/UNDER 72.5: Yeah, it’s the under
Seattle Mariners
Last year the Mariners had the best pitching staff in baseball but one of the worst offenses and missed the playoffs. In 2025 Seattle is running back almost the exact same group of players, but hoping for different results.
KEY PLAYERS: Julio Rodriguez (OF), Cal Raleigh (C)
OVER/UNDER 85.5: Over, because the Mariners won 85 games last year and maybe the ball will bounce their way a few more times in 2025
Texas Rangers
If you believe in World Series hangovers, it’s easy to throw 2024 out the window and be all-in on this Texas Rangers team. They’ve got starpower around the diamond, no clear weakness, and a healthy Jacob DeGrom.
KEY PLAYERS: Corey Seager (SS), Jacob DeGrom (SP)
OVER/UNDER 86.5: An easy decision to take the over
PREDICTIONS
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Corbin Carroll, Kyle Tucker
AL MVP: Corey Seager, Riley Greene, Aaron Judge
NL CY: Paul Skenes, Corbin Burnes, Shohei Ohtani
AL CY: Tarik Skubal, Bryan Woo, Jacob DeGrom
NL ROY: Roki Sasaki, Dylan Crews, Jordan Lawlar
AL ROY: Kristian Campbell, Jackson Jobe, Kumar Rocker
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF TEAMS:
Dodgers, Phillies, Reds; Wild Cards: Diamondbacks, Braves, Mets
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFF TEAMS:
Red Sox, Rangers, Tigers; Wild Cards: Orioles, Guardians, Mariners
NLCS: Dodgers over Phillies; ALCS: Red Sox over Rangers
WORLD SERIES: Los Angeles Dodgers over Red Sox
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