The grass is cut. The chalk is down. The long, cold wait is finally over.
Opening Day is here, and with it comes the annual tradition of bold predictions, misguided confidence, and the certainty that at least half of what we say today will look ridiculous by July. Technically, the Dodgers and Cubs got a head start in Japan, but for the rest of baseball, the road to October begins now.
So grab a hot dog, slather on the mustard, and let’s take some swings at forecasting the season ahead—awards, playoff races, and the team that just might be hoisting the trophy in the end.
Let’s get to it.
American League MVP: Bobby Witt Jr.
You know what’s left to say about Bobby Witt Jr.? Absolutely nothing. Well, except for the obvious. He’s a five-category wrecking ball, and a guy who’s now being mentioned in the same breath as Shohei Ohtani. But here’s the fun part: Not only has he gone 30/30 in back-to-back seasons, but last year he did it while hitting a scorching .332, piling up 100-plus runs and RBI, and making pitchers rethink their life choices. Oh, and he also cut his strikeout rate, walked more, and hit the ball even harder and farther. So what happens in 2025? Probably more of the same. Maybe even better. Because the scary part? We still might not have seen peak Bobby Witt Jr. yet. And that’s just ridiculous.
National League MVP: Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani? Historic. The man just delivered one of the greatest seasons we’ve ever seen, earning his third unanimous MVP in the last four years. Forget about the pitching for a second—he’s only getting better at the plate. For the third straight year, Ohtani improved his strikeout rate, and he hit the ball harder than ever, trailing only Aaron Judge in hard-hit and barrel rates. The result? The first-ever 50/50 season: 54 homers, 59 steals, and a jaw-dropping 1.036 OPS.American League Cy Young: Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal? Absolute revelation. After returning from flexor tendon surgery in 2023, his 15 starts were so good that he was already considered an ace. The question wasn’t if he could dominate—it was whether he could sustain it for a full season. Well, he did, and not only did he lock in a Cy Young, but he led all of Major League Baseball in strikeouts. His postseason? A dominant 17 scoreless innings before one rough frame against the Guardians ended the Tigers’ season in the ALDS. Skubal entered the league with a 94.5 mph fastball, and for a couple of years, that’s where he sat. But last season? That heater jumped to a sizzling 96.8 mph, putting him among the league’s toughest pitchers. And it wasn’t just the fastball—his changeup also gained three ticks while keeping its nasty movement. Now, the big question heading into 2025 is health. After racking up 211 innings between the regular season and postseason, can he stay durable for a full year? If he does, look out—Skubal’s ace status is here to stay.
National League Cy Young: Zack Wheeler
The guy’s been a Cy Young contender for what feels like forever, but once again, he finished second in the voting—this time to Chris Sale, who led the NL in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. In 2021, Wheeler also finished runner-up, this time to Corbin Burnes. But let’s be real—he never really stood a chance, given Sale’s dominance across the board. Still, Wheeler wasn’t far behind: he finished second in all three major categories, made three more starts than Sale, and did so while navigating a tougher schedule and a more challenging pitching environment in Philadelphia. And when the postseason rolled around, Wheeler added another chapter to his big-game legacy, throwing seven scoreless innings against the Mets in his only start, dropping his October ERA to 2.18. As for his health? Wheeler’s had much better luck staying on the field in his thirties than he did in his twenties—a trend that’s becoming less and less surprising as he continues to defy expectations. The man just knows how to pitch, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
American League Rookie of the Year: Jackson Jobe
The legend of Jobe began in earnest last year. Not only did he make his MLB debut, but he also found himself on the mound during Detroit’s unexpected playoff push. A whirlwind, to say the least. But before all that, he spent most of 2024 dominating Double-A Erie, posting a ridiculous 1.95 ERA and racking up 91 strikeouts against just 38 walks over 73 2/3 innings. Jobe’s slider is the crown jewel of his arsenal—scouts are already giving it top-of-the-scale grades, and it could very well end up being one of the best pitches in baseball as he continues to refine his command. But don’t make the mistake of calling him a one-pitch guy. He’s got a fastball that flirts with the high 90s, a changeup that’s above average, and a cutter that’s right on its heels. What makes him even more dangerous? He’s not just throwing heat—he knows where it’s going. He’s in the strike zone with all four pitches, and more often than not, he’s dotting the corners. Jobe’s just getting started, and the ceiling is as high as it gets.
National League Rookie of the Year: Roki Sasaki
Sasaki is undoubtedly one of the most electric arms in the game, and at just 23 years old, he’s ready to make the leap to the U.S. with the Dodgers after four seasons of absolutely shredding Japanese hitters. A 30-15 record, a sparkling 2.02 ERA, and an eye-popping 524 strikeouts against just 91 walks in 414 2/3 innings with the Chiba Lotte Marines—yeah, he’s been that good. And let’s not forget, he allowed just 16 homers over all that work.
AL East: Orioles
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Rangers
AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Astros, Red Sox
ALCS: Orioles defeat Rangers
NL East: Braves
NL Central: Reds
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Cards: Braves, Mets, Brewers
NLCS: Dodgers defeat Phillies
World Series: Dodgers defeat Orioles
