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The Cincinnati Reds have shown a lot of heart and passion in recent years, but not quite enough to get themselves into regular contender status. It’s sad, sad truth. David Bell brought a fiery toughness to the Reds not seen since the prime years of the Big Red Machine. Despite that, Cincinnati only managed one playoff berth in his six seasons: Being swept by Atlanta in the 2020 … [Read more...] about ESNY’s MLB Preview 2025: Cincinnati Reds reboot

Nothing about the Cleveland Guardians makes sense. Cleveland is a fairly major city, yet the team hasn’t hasn’t ever fielded an Opening Day payroll above $134 million. The Guardians always seem to be in the postseason conversation, yet haven’t fielded Top 10 run-producing lineups since the Juiced Baseball Craze from 2016-2018. They’re great at developing players, but rarely … [Read more...] about ESNY’s MLB Preview 2025: The Cleveland Guardians just keep winning

Last season, we predicted that the Detroit Tigers’ best chance at the playoffs was slugging their way to a Wild Card, at best. Well, we were half-correct. The Tigers did indeed clinch a Wild Card berth, but not because of their hitting. Detroit’s bats ranked 24th in home runs and batting average, and 21st with 95 wRC+. Rather, it was the Tigers’ surprisingly improved pitching … [Read more...] about ESNY’s MLB Preview 2025: Detroit Tigers moving up the food chain

That the St. Louis Cardinals finished above .500 in 2024 is nothing short of a miracle. Keep in mind, the team is on the cusp of some major changes. John Mozeliak, the Cards’ general manager since 2007, is retiring at season’s end. Former Rays and Red Sox executive Chaim Bloom is waiting in the wings. Oliver Marmol remains the manager despite having the baseball acumen of a … [Read more...] about ESNY’s MLB Preview 2025: St. Louis Cardinals are stuck in the old days

The Kansas City Royals, in their own weird way, might be baseball’s ultimate small market team. Free agency signings are a rarity. Player development and small budgets are king. If that’s enough to clinch a playoff berth in the oh-so-soft-and-Midwestern AL Central, wonderful! Casseroles and keggers for everybody! Royals ownership must have celebrated accordingly last year, even … [Read more...] about ESNY’s MLB Preview 2025: Will Kansas City Royals ascend to their throne?