7 Predictions for the Rest of 2025 MLB Season
Though all MLB teams are now through more than 50 percent of their schedules, the unofficial middle of the season comes during the All-Star break.
By the end of this weekend, we'll know the full rosters for the Midsummer Classic, so it's as good a time as any to delve into what can be expected from the second half of the campaign.
Here are seven predictions for the remainder of the 2025 MLB season.
Aaron Judge Will Edge Out Cal Raleigh for AL MVP
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Cal Raleigh is having one of the greatest first halves to a season from a power perspective in MLB history, as he's already homered 33 times.
For the 28-year-old to be doing it as a catcher who plays his home games at T-Mobile Park makes it that much more impressive.
But the fact that Raleigh plays such a demanding defensive position and doesn't have the advantage of hitting in a bandbox makes it hard to imagine him continuing to perform at this clip.
That's not to say he won't finish with one of the best offensive seasons a catcher has ever had, but he's only been off once this year. That will either have to change in the second half or the Mariners run the risk of him wearing down in August and September.
Even with as great as Raleigh has been in the first half, though, Judge still leads baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, total bases and WAR.
The New York Yankees star is not far behind Raleigh in terms of home runs, and he has the benefit of playing his home games at Yankee Stadium. There's even a strong argument to be made that Judge would be the AL MVP of the first half, even with how great Raleigh has been.
Barring injury, the feeling here is Judge will wind up with his third MVP in four years, edging out Raleigh and others.
Shohei Ohtani Will Become Second Player in MLB History to Win 4 MVPs
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Shohei Ohtani made history twice winning the NL MVP a year ago.
First, he joined Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVPs in both leagues. And he also became the first full-time DH to win an MVP, as he didn't pitch while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani has returned to the mound, but it will again be his bat doing the bulk of the work as he tries to win a third consecutive and fourth overall league MVP. At the time of publication, he is first among senior-circuit hitters in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+ and total bases.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, James Wood, Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso are among the other players who would factor into the NL MVP race if it took place today, but Ohtani would probably win it.
And if the Dodgers star ramps up as a pitcher while hitting 50-plus home runs for the second season in a row, he's going to run away with the NL MVP.
If the five-time All-Star does win NL MVP, he would become only the second player in MLB history to win four MVPs. The other is Barry Bonds, who took home the honor a staggering seven times.
Ohtani still has a ways to go to have a chance at catching Bonds, but it's hard to rule anything out with him.
These 4 Teams Will Have 1st-Round Byes
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For as much bellyaching as there's been about teams getting rusty after a first-round bye under the new playoff format that began in 2022, it didn't seem to hurt the clubs who got it a year ago.
Last season, three of the four teams that had first-round byes—the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians—advanced beyond the division series. The Dodgers and Yankees went on to meet in the World Series.
While staying sharp during time off is a challenge, not having to take the chance that you lose in the Wild Card Round is still an advantage.
With that acknowledged, here are the four teams we believe will have first-round byes in the postseason.
AL No. 1 Seed: Detroit Tigers
The AL Central produced three playoff teams a year ago, but the Tigers are currently the only team in the division with a winning record. Tarik Skubal and Co. have the most wins in the AL, and if they are able to make an upgrade at third base and/or another rotation addition, they'll be World Series contenders in a wide-open junior circuit.
AL No. 2 Seed: Houston Astros
Every time you think you've finished them, they hit back. It is concerning that Yordan Álvarez and Jeremy Peña are injured, while Jose Altuve and Christian Walker have had underwhelming seasons. But the Astros have a great one-two starting rotation punch with Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez and arguably the best bullpen in baseball.
If their lineup rounds back into form, it would hardly be surprising if they reach their fifth World Series appearance in the last decade.
NL No. 1 Seed: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have had a first-round bye each year since this format started in 2022. After being upset in the NLDS in both 2022 and 2023, they won the World Series in 2024. Come playoff time, the Dodgers are going to have a great lineup with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. What pitchers will be healthy at that point is anyone's guess.
NL No. 2 Seed: Philadelphia Phillies
Of the four teams with first-round postseason byes a year ago, the Phillies were the sole loser in the division series, after being upset by the New York Mets. But given how poorly the Mets have played of late, we're going to project the Phillies—led by arguably the best starting rotation in baseball—will win their second consecutive NL East title and earn a first-round bye.
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Tarik Skubal Will Win Second AL Cy Young Award in a Row
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Entering the season, Tarik Skubal checked in at No. 1 on B/R's ranking of the top MLB aces entering the 2025 season. And there's a good chance he'll retain that spot next year.
Last year's AL Cy Young Award winner leads all MLB starters in FIP, WHIP, strikeout-to-walk radio and WAR, per FanGraphs. He leads the AL in K/9. And it doesn't hurt that he's also one of the game's elite showmen.
Certainly, Garrett Crochet, Hunter Brown and Max Fried will have a say in who takes home this year's AL Cy Young Award. But since the second half of the 2023 season, Skubal has been baseball's best pitcher. And he is the best bet to claim the honor again this season, which would make him the first repeat winner since Pedro Martinez in 1999 and 2000.
Paul Skenes Will Win His First NL Cy Young Award
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For as disappointing as the Pittsburgh Pirates have been this season, Paul Skenes has followed up his NL Rookie of the Year campaign by looking like the best young pitcher baseball has seen since Doc Gooden.
Skenes is second to Skubal in most categories, but he leads NL starting pitchers in ERA, ERA+, H/9, HR/9 and WAR, per Baseball Reference. He's one of the rare pitchers everyone wants to watch, similar to Jacob deGrom at the height of his powers.
Beyond predicting Skenes will take home the NL Cy Young Award, we'll also throw in the prediction Zack Wheeler will finish runner-up.
This would mark the third time the Philadelphia Phillies' ace has finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting after 2021 and 2024.
Braves Will End Up at Crossroads After Missing Playoffs
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For much of the season, it felt like the Atlanta Braves were too talented to not get going. But considering they're still struggling in the NL East, it seems fair to stick a fork in them.
A year after they won 89 games and snuck into the playoffs despite having the worst injury luck imaginable, they have hit a wall.
Offseason signee Jurickson Profar was suspended for PEDs in the first week of the season. Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach, the two best pitchers on the team, are on the shelf with injuries that will sideline them for some time. Raisel Iglesias, Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies are all healthy, but they're having terrible seasons.
The Braves may well have a hot stretch in them in the second half of the season, but nothing they've done to this point leads us to believe it will be sustained enough to get them back into the postseason race.
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is unlikely to hold a major sale, and he may even try to buy. But it will be interesting to see how Atlanta acts this offseason if things stay on this trajectory.
The team will probably be looking for a closer, Marcell Ozuna will be a free agent entering his age-35 season and it might be time to shake up the core of the lineup. Oh, and manager Brian Snitker could retire.
The Braves will still have a ton of talent on their roster, but they project to be at something of a crossroads.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Cements Breakout Season With Platinum Glove
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Pete Crow-Armstrong has been one of the best players in baseball during the first half of the 2025 season.
While his power production has been the added bonus that has turned him into a superstar, the 23-year-old's best attribute continues to be his other-worldly defense in center field.
Crow-Armstrong is currently tied with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ke'Bryan Hayes for second in defensive runs saved among NL defenders with 11. Only Matt Olson has more with 12.
He's also tied for second in outs above average among senior circuit defenders, as both he and Hayes have 12. They are trying to keep pace with Braves shortstop Nick Allen, who leads the NL with 13 OAA.
The perfect way to cap off Crow-Armstrong's breakout season would be for him to win not only his first Gold Glove Award in center field but also to take home the Platinum Glove as the best defender in the NL.
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