BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 31: The Boston Red Sox World Series Trophies on display at Fenway Park before the Victory Parade around Boston on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 20: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single in the 3rd inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 20, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
No one is better than the Dodgers.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 05: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 05, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
They play in a tough NL East but enter the season as the most balanced of the three contenders.
3. Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 14: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI double in the eighth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on May 14, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images)
Health is going to be paramount to their success.
4. New York Mets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Juan Soto of the New York Mets poses with his new uniform after his introductory press conference at Citi Field on December 12, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Is their starting pitching good enough?
5. New York Yankees
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees points to the dugout after hitting his third home run of the game against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium on August 23, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Key injuries to star players might hold them back.
6. Baltimore Orioles
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JULY 19: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates after scoring a run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 19, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Bad starting rotation, great pen and young core.
7. Boston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 3: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on the go ahead RBI sacrifice fly during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on October 3, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Lack pitching depth, but can make trades to improve it.
8. Texas Rangers
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – APRIL 09: Marcus Semien #2 of the Texas Rangers waits for a pitch during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Field on April 09, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Looking to bounce back after a down year in 2024.
9. Houston Astros
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 26: Framber Valdez #59 of the Houston Astros delivers the pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game One of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 26, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Lost Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman. Added Walker and Paredes. If they get to the playoffs, they know how to win.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field on September 29, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Good young team who got better via trades and free agency.
