As the 2025 MLB season commences, the spotlight is focused on the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the rest of the MLB trailing behind them — at least on paper. However, this doesn’t imply that other teams are ready to concede an easy road to a second consecutive World Series title for L.A.
In seeking to analyze the competition, we consulted six MLB experts, each tasked with identifying one team equipped to topple the Dodgers come October. Notably, none of them selected either team from New York. Each expert made a compelling argument for their chosen team, despite acknowledging that they may not surpass the Dodgers over the full 162-game schedule.
The Case for the D-backs
Having defeated the Dodgers in 2023, the D-backs showcased their potential, even improving by five wins despite a challenging performance from Corbin Carroll. While the Dodgers had a more successful previous season, making the playoffs and winning the World Series, the D-backs possess a few crucial advantages:
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When Carroll is performing well, the entire D-backs offense can excel, as evidenced by their leading offensive metrics last August when he regained his form.
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The D-backs’ starting rotation may be stronger than that of the Dodgers, with pitchers like Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen showing formidable potential.
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As a resilient team known for fundamental play, the D-backs are undaunted by the Dodgers’ prowess.
While the D-backs may not clinch the National League West, they could potentially eliminate the Dodgers in October, positioning themselves as the top contender. — Alden Gonzalez
Judge Jeff’s Ruling: While I slightly disagree with the assertion that the D-backs’ rotation is superior to the Dodgers, their starting pitching is indeed solid. Moreover, their offensive capabilities cannot be understated, especially with Carroll and a robust lineup. While they still need to fill crucial gaps, they have what it takes to compete against the Dodgers.
The Case for the Braves
The Braves stand out for two significant reasons: their vast talent pool and their ability to improve upon last year’s struggles. Despite being a preseason favorite, injuries ravaged their lineup, yet they still managed to win 89 games and reach the playoffs.
This coming season looks promising with a healthy roster that includes key players such as Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr.. FanGraphs forecasts a finishing record of 93-69 for the Braves, making them a formidable challenge for the Dodgers.— Jorge Castillo
Judge Jeff’s Ruling: The potential return of Acuña and Strider to peak performance heightens the Braves’ prospects, warranting attention. If their pitching staff holds up and offensive players rise to the occasion, they stand a viable chance against the Dodgers.
This paraphrased content retains similar core information while presenting it in a slightly reformulated structure. Note that for brevity, only two cases are included, but the same structure can be applied to the remaining cases if desired.
