Memorial Day officially marks the beginning of summer. It’s also an optimal time to look at MLB standings and the futures market through the first one-third of the season, after most teams have played around 55 games. The Detroit Tigers (35-20) lead the American League, and the Philadelphia Phillies (34-19) have the best record in the National League.
Last year’s World Series teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, are the top two favorites to win the 2025 World Series. The defending champion Dodgers are +240 odds to win again according to BetMGM. The Yankees are second on the MLB futures board at +600. The New York Mets (+900) are the third overall favorite, followed by the hot Philadelphia Phillies (+950), and well-balanced Tigers (+1050).
Chasing a Rare Back-to-Back: Dodgers (+240)
The betting market still likes the Dodgers winning another championship, even though a repeat World Series champion has not occurred in 25 years, since the Yankees won three titles in a row between 1998-2000. The NL has not seen a back-to-back champion in almost 50 years since the Big Red Machine era, when the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series in 1975 and 1976.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff is decimated by injuries. Three members of their starting rotation are on the IL with shoulder injuries, including Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. Relief pitchers Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates, and Evan Phillips are also out. Despite all the injuries, the Dodgers are in first place in the NL West with 33 wins.
In his second season in the MLB, former Japanese pitching star Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-3) anchors the Dodgers rotation with a 1.97 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.
The Dodgers have been leaning on their big bats to win games. Shohei Ohtani, last season’s NL MVP, leads the majors with 20 HRs, and he added 33 RBI while slashing at .295/.392/.648. Freddie Freeman is the best hitter in the NL with an impressive slashline of .361/.432/.633. Teoscar Hernandez missed 10 days with a groin injury, but he still hit 10 HRs and leads the team with 40 RBI.
The Judge and Fried Show: Yankees (+600)
The Yankees seek their first World Series title in 16 seasons, and only their second championship in 25 years.
Aaron Judge, last season’s AL MVP, is off to another sizzling start. He leads the AL with 18 home runs and 47 RBI, while slashing at .398/.492/.756. Judge also leads the majors in batting average by over 37 points.
In his first season in the Bronx, Paul Goldschmidt is in the Top 5 in hitting with a .345 batting average.
The Yankees lost their ace, Gerrit Cole, to season-ending Tommy John surgery. Max Fried has been a clutch free-agent pickup, and he has yet to lose a game in his first 11 starts with a 7-0 record, 1.29 ERA, and 0.93 WHIP. Carlos Rodon is also posting another strong season with a 6-3 record, 2.88 ERA, and 0.96 WHIP.
Manager Aaron Boone demoted relief pitcher Derwin Williams (6.16 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) after he struggled as the closer. Luke Weaver replaced Williams, and he leads the team with eight saves, 0.73 ERA, and 0.69 WHIP.
Soto Drama: Mets (+900)
Juan Soto helped the Yankees win the AL pennant last season and secure a spot in the World Series. Everyone expected Soto to sign with the Yankees in the offseason, but the free agent surprised everyone when he joined the Mets on a 15-year deal worth $765 million.
Soto’s honeymoon period with the Mets ended quickly. There’s been nonstop drama surrounding Soto’s performance and the perceived lack of enthusiasm, fueled by media reports and intense public scrutiny.
Soto smacked 8 homers with 25 RBI, but he’s only hitting .233, which is not up to snuff considering how much he’s getting paid. He also came under fire for not hustling. The press has amplified his lack of interest in the Mets and his mood because he was treated much better by fans in the Bronx than by fans in the Queens. The Mets are one of the top teams in the NL with 33 wins, so you can only imagine what Soto’s press coverage will be like if they start losing.
Many good things are happening with Soto’s teammates. All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso leads the Mets with 10 HRs and 40 RBI with a slashline of .291/.392/.533. Francisco Lindor is tied with Alonso with 10 HRs, and he’s second in RBI with 30 while slashing .272/.347/.455.
Three starting pitchers have at least five victories for the Mets, including Griffin Canning (5-1, 2.99 ERA), Kodai Senga (5-3, 1.46 ERA), and Clay Holmes (5-3, 2.98 ERA). Closer Edwin Diaz has 11 saves with a 2.42 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.
Philly Surging: Phillies (+950)
The Phillies look strong at the Memorial Day checkpoint with the best record in the NL. A nine-game winning streak propelled them into first place when they overtook the Mets in the tough NL East.
Kyle Schwarber has been crushing left-handed pitching. With 18 home runs, he’s only two dingers behind Ohtani for the NL lead.
Jesus Luzardo has been the Phillies’ best arm with a perfect 5-0 record, 2.15 ERA, and 1.18 WHIP. The Phillies are also 9-3 in his 12 starts. Zack Wheeler has been reliable on the mound with a 6-1 record, 2.40 ERA, and 0.88 WHIP.
Manager Rob Thompson dropped third baseman Alec Bohm to eighth in the batting order after a horrible slump in April. Bohm responded with a sensational May. He’s now the second-best hitter on the team behind Trea Turner, and slashing at .272/.308/.385.
Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh also slumped at the start of the season, but both have turned around their hitting woes during the Phillies’ May surge.
The MLB suspended hard-throwing lefty reliever Jose Alvarado for 80 games due to PEDs. Despite a thin bullpen, the Phillies have been pitching great without Alvarado. However, Alvarado will be ineligible for the postseason, so not having him in October is a huge blow.
The Big D: Tigers (+1050)
The Tigers advanced to the playoffs last season for the first time in 10 years. They’re off to a great start in 2025 thanks to a well-balanced lineup, a robust starting rotation, and a top-notch bullpen. The Tigers posted the best record through 50 games, and they became the first team to reach 35 wins despite having only the 18th highest payroll in the MLB.
After a disappointing first three seasons with the Tigers, Javier Baez is having his best season since joining them in free agency in 2022. Baez is slashing at .286/.321/.468.
Three players have already reached double digits in home runs. Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers with 13 HRs, 14 doubles, and 40 RBI. Riley Green smacked 12 HRs and added 36 RBI while slashing .270/.329/.495. Kerry Carpenter also has a strong slashline of .280/.313/.500 with 10 HRs and 22 RBI.
The starting rotation is anchored by last year’s AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal (5-2), who has a 2.49 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. Skubal’s 82 strikeouts is the second-best in the majors. In only eight starts, Casey Mize is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.
The Tigers boast one of the best bullpens in baseball with Will Vest (1.44 ERA, 6 saves), Tommy Kahnle (1.66 ERA, 6 saves), and Brant Hurter (1.95 ERA, 2 saves).
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