LA had an unusually difficult 2025 regular season. Despite its star power and status as the defending World Series champs, they suffered through an injury-plagued and streaky campaign. They still won 93 games and their fourth straight NL West title, but it was a slog.

The Mariners have been a team of phases.

Every year, the Padres win the hot stove title. Then they win the MLB trade deadline title.

A collapse is forgotten as long as the team that collapsed makes the playoffs one way or the other. There is no doubt the Tigers' fall from the top of the AL Central was a collapse, but they still managed to squeak into the postseason as a Wild Card at the expense of the Astros, who had a collapse of their own.

The BoSox have two things the Yankees do not have: A hot starting pitcher at the top of the rotation and a dominating closer.

Any team that hires Terry Francona as manager is expecting to be competitive. The Reds, however, did not walk into the 2025 season thinking they were a playoff team unless everything broke their way.

The MLB season continues on Friday, Aug 15, as the Toronto Blue Jays (59-60) and Texas Rangers (60-59) begin a three-game series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET. Both teams are in a close race for an AL Wild Card spot, which makes this series a very important one.

The MLB season continues on Friday, Aug 15, as the Philadelphia Phillies (69-51) visit the Washington Nationals (48-72) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET. The Phillies are looking to extend their lead in the NL East, while the Nationals continue their rebuilding season.

The MLB season continues on Friday, Aug 15, as the Chicago Cubs (68-52) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (51-71) at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET. The Cubs are in a close race for a Wild Card spot, while the Pirates are well out of the playoff picture.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (68-50) and Los Angeles Angels (56-62) begin a three-game series on Monday, Aug 11, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. ET. The Angels are surprisingly 3-0 against the Dodgers this season and will look to continue their success against their cross-town rivals.

The Washington Nationals (47-70) and Kansas City Royals (58-60) begin a three-game series on Monday, Aug 11, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. The Nationals, despite a losing record, are coming off a two-game win streak, while the Royals have been inconsistent.

The Milwaukee Brewers (73-44) and Pittsburgh Pirates (51-68) begin a three-game series on Monday, Aug 11, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. The Brewers are the hottest team in baseball, riding a nine-game winning streak, while the Pirates are looking to break a two-game skid.