Chasing October: May MLB Check-In
Expectations in baseball carry weight. The upward trends of teams are rarely constant. That said, fans expect a better product on the field than the one they watched the year before. Through the first thirty-eight MLB games, the road to the World Series—while always shrouded in mystery—already has some clear contenders.
The National League is undoubtedly more talented than in recent years. The two teams with the biggest anticipation (and biggest payrolls) are the Mets and the Dodgers. Through the early part of the season, both teams have lived up to the hype. The Mets, coming off the largest free agent signing in MLB history—outfielder Juan Soto—steamrolled through April and briefly held the best record in all of baseball. As it stands, they are the second-best team in the league with a 25–14 record. The Mets are headlined by Francisco Lindor, one of the most clutch players in recent years; Pete Alonso, a power-hitting first baseman off to one of the best starts in the Majors; and Kodai Senga, the Mets’ ace returning from injury.
The Dodgers, with a 26–13 record, are the best team in Major League Baseball. Using a strategy similar to Jeter’s Yankees, they’ve bought up nearly every high-profile player available across all leagues. In doing so, they’ve assembled one of the most dangerous lineups ever. Led by three MVPs—Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani—the Dodgers look to capture back-to-back World Series titles.
One relatively surprising development is the emergence of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs currently own the one of the best offenses in baseball — led by young stars, emerging leaders, and storied veterans. New stars Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong have helped the Cubs lead the league in total runs scored, resulting in a 22–17 record. The National League pennant race is a murderer’s row of elite teams, each with the talent and tools to make a deep October run.
The American League, meanwhile, has been more unpredictable. Entering the season, there were no overwhelming favorites. The Yankees and Tigers were among the most promising after deep postseason runs. New Yankee additions such as Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt, and Devin Williams have propelled the team to a 22–16 record and first place in the AL East. While Williams has struggled under the bright lights of New York, his future remains bright, and the team is on a promising trajectory.
As for the Tigers, despite having few marquee names outside of 2024 Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, they boast an impressive 26–13 record—best in the American League. Veterans like Javier Báez and breakout players like Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene have helped drive their early success. Out West, the Seattle Mariners have also surprised many, leading the AL West with a 22–15 record. Catcher Cal Raleigh and pitchers Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert have all dominated in their roles.
The MLB season is always full of twists and turns. Who will earn the pennant in either league? Only time will tell.
