Memorial Day MLB Overview
Baseball has many traditions, and one of them is using Memorial Day as a significant benchmark in the season. While teams that have performed well so far can still falter, there’s also ample chance for underperforming teams to surge and turn things around. By this point, we’ve gained a reasonable understanding of what to expect as the season progresses past Memorial Day.
Disappointing Performers: Baltimore Orioles
On the not-so-great side, the Baltimore Orioles stand out as huge disappointments. This season has been nothing short of a calamity, with them on track for 100 losses after winning 101 games just two years ago. To put it in perspective, last year on May 27, they celebrated their 34th victory. How long will it take the current Orioles (currently 18-34) to reach that number this year?
Positive Highlights Around the League
However, let’s shift our focus to the bright side, especially as we enjoy a long holiday weekend!
- Surprisingly, the Angels won eight consecutive games and are only four games behind the leaders.
- The Mariners have been leading the standings for about a month, which some might consider a delightful surprise.
- Despite trading Nolan Arenado during the offseason, the Cardinals have turned their season around, winning 16 out of their last 20 games after a rocky start.
- The Twins also bounced back, winning 16 out of their last 19 after a challenging early season.
- Predicted to be a mediocre team, the Giants are currently pushing the Dodgers hard with a 31-22 record.
Unlikely Contenders
After an impressive playoff run last year, the Tigers have significantly exceeded expectations, recently holding the best record in baseball and only trailing by a half-game for that title.
Additionally, despite much speculation on the dominance of the Dodgers, the Phillies have hot enough to reclaim their No. 1 spot in the Power Rankings.
Looking Ahead
To sum it up, the season remains lengthy, and teams like the Twins and Cardinals have demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change. While some might crumble under pressure, we are now beginning to identify the real contenders and pretenders as we approach the midpoint of the 2025 season. The list of teams with potential World Series aspirations appears relatively long, which is promising for fans. Cheers to baseball!