Cleveland Guardians
They always find a way.
Cleveland pulled off one of the most remarkable finishes of the 2025 season, erasing a 15.5-game deficit to capture the AL Central. Their October run was short-lived—the Tigers bounced them in the Wild Card round—but the comeback alone showed the grit that defines this roster.
True to form, the Guardians barely touched free agency. Instead, they’ll lean on their pipeline. Top prospect Travis Bazzana is set to take over at second base, while Chase DeLauter made his debut during the Wild Card series and could soon claim a regular role.
On the mound, the young core continues to rise. Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, and Tanner Bibee headline a pitching staff that should keep Cleveland competitive all season.
Don’t expect the Guardians to fade quietly. Detroit may be the favorite, but Cleveland will be right there pushing them in the division race.
Seattle Mariners
You might actually be cursed.
Last year felt like the moment Seattle would finally break through and reach the first World Series in franchise history. Instead, the Mariners fell victim to Toronto’s October magic, undone by George Springer’s Game 7 heroics in the ALCS.
Still, few teams are as loaded as Seattle.
The rotation is elite: Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Luis Castillo form one of baseball’s deepest staffs. At the plate, the Mariners boast the best hitting catcher in recent memory and a lineup powered by Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena, and Josh Naylor.
And the bullpen holds up its end as well, with Andrés Muñoz and Gabe Speier locking down the late innings.
Everything is in place. If Seattle stays healthy, this might finally be the year they break through.
Leave a Reply