MLB 2025: National League Dominance and Early Season Surprises
Welcome to Staten News — your go-to source for the latest in sports, where we delve into the early dynamics of the 2025 MLB season
As of April 15, the National League (NL) is showcasing formidable strength, with its teams leading the standings and setting the pace for the season. Let's explore the current landscape of Major League Baseball.
🧭 National League: Setting the Standard
🔝 Top Performers:
San Diego Padres (14–3): The Padres are off to their best start since 1998, propelled by a potent offense and a pitching staff that has already recorded six shutouts.
San Francisco Giants (12–4): The Giants are experiencing their best opening in over two decades, with Wilmer Flores leading the league with six home runs.
Los Angeles Dodgers (12–6): Despite a recent slump after an 8–0 start, the Dodgers remain strong contenders, aiming to become the first back-to-back World Series champions in 25 years.
Chicago Cubs (11–8): With a league-best run differential of +37, the Cubs are making an early statement in the NL Central.
⚠️ Teams Facing Early Challenges
Atlanta Braves (5–11): The Braves are struggling with injuries to key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr., leading to a slow start.
Minnesota Twins (5–12): The Twins are dealing with offensive struggles and injuries to stars Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa.
Pittsburgh Pirates (4–11): The Pirates' weak offense and pitching have raised concerns about their competitiveness this season.
Baltimore Orioles (6–9): The Orioles are hampered by pitching injuries and underperformance from top young players like Jackson Holliday.
🔥 Players to Watch
Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres): Leading the Padres' offense with a scorching start.
Wilmer Flores (Giants): Tied for the major league lead with six home runs.
Kyle Tucker (Cubs): Off to an MVP-level start, contributing significantly to the Cubs' success.
🧢 The New York Mets: Heating Up in Queens
Don’t look now, but the Mets are cooking.
After a sluggish opening week, New York has ripped off 9 wins in their last 11, vaulting into early contention in the NL East. And they’re doing it without a fully healthy roster — which might be the most encouraging sign of all.
Juan Soto, fresh off the blockbuster trade from the Yankees, is quickly becoming the face of Flushing. He’s hitting for average, drawing walks like a machine, and showing veteran-level poise in the batter’s box. There’s a new swagger at Citi Field, and Soto’s leading the charge.
Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor looks locked in after a shaky 2024 campaign. He’s flashing the glove, hitting in big moments, and reminding everyone why he was once one of the game’s most electrifying shortstops.
On the mound, the rotation hasn’t been perfect — but Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga have stabilized things, while the bullpen is holding up better than expected. If this team can stay healthy and get consistency from the back end of the rotation, they could absolutely hang in the division.
Keep an eye on the Mets. If they’re this good without their full arsenal… imagine what’s coming.
The early weeks of the 2025 MLB season have highlighted the National League's dominance and the challenges faced by several teams. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if these trends continue or if the American League teams can close the gap.
— The Bandicoots