2025 MLB Week 2 Review: Breakout Stars and Shifting Contenders

As the 2025 MLB season rolls into its second week, the baseball world has witnessed remarkable shifts in power dynamics and breakout performances. The Los Angeles Dodgers maintain their grip on the top spot despite challenges, while the San Diego Padres have emerged as serious contenders with their pitching excellence.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber has been unstoppable, leading the team in home runs, while Fernando Tatis Jr. and Kyle Tucker are making early MVP cases. Week 2 has left me with more thoughts with so much to discuss. 

NL East

Atlanta Braves – The Braves are 2-2 since last week’s update & despite that not being awful, it still very much feels like a team that’s in early season panic mode. They are one run ahead of the Rockies for worst run total in the league (tied with the White Sox). It’s difficult to believe they’ll keep playing this bad with the lineup they have.

Miami Marlins – Two game split with the Braves & took 1 of 3 from the Mets on the road. I’m impressed with how fast their young kids play, but they certainly play as sloppy as you’d expect a young team to play. 6-6 isn’t the worst start ever for the fish & the future is beginning to look bright (I say hesitantly)

New York Mets – swept a Blue Jays team who is playing well to start the season and took care of business against the lowly Marlins. As a fan it really feels like this team hasn’t scratched the surface and they’re still winning ballgames. Pitching currently holds the best ERA in the league.

Philadelphia Phillies – Took a series from the Dodgers at home which speaks volumes. This team can play and their championship window is beginning to close. Think they’ll stay hungry all year.

Washington Nationals – 4 of their last 5 & very nearly swept the Dodgers??? A team that most expected to be pesky is beginning to live up to their identity. Can they make the jump from pesky to good?

NL Central

Chicago Cubs – Took a series from both the Rangers & Padres (who were previously undefeated). Based on the way they’ve been playing along with the way the rest of the division has looked my pre-season pick to win the NL Central has no excuses to not run away with the division. Also currently league leaders in stolen bases.

Cincinnati Reds – They’ve scored 2 runs or less in 4 of the 6 games since last week. Baseball is a simple sport: if you don’t score you can’t win. Saddest thing is their pitching has been really impressive so far.

Milwaukee Brewers – Remember when the Yankees embarrassed them in the first 3 games. Clearly they don’t because since then everything is starting to click now. Dropped a 17 (!) spot on the Rockies last night and the lineup is coming to life. If anyone is challenging the Cubs in this division it’ll probably be the Brew Crew.

Pittsburgh Pirates – 3-3 since last week. More mediocrity from a Pirates team who has some fun pieces but lacks the ownership to put a serious team together. On top of that they had to put back a Roberto Clemente tribute in the right field corner of their stadium which they replaced to put up a Surfside advertisement (I wish I was kidding). Just a mess out in Pittsburgh so far.

St. Louis Cardinals – Hard to believe a team who did nothing to improve this offseason looks like they’re missing pieces to seriously compete! Worst moment from this week was on Sunday Night Baseball when Jordan Walker was mic’d up for a painfully long inning that saw the Cardinals pitching give up an absolute lazer show to the Red Sox hitters. He’s a better man than me I would’ve had them cut the mic.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks – Lost a series to the pesky Nationals but bounced back nicely beating the O’s at home. Corbin Carroll is hitting for average and power as his MVP campaign is off to a hot start.

Colorado Rockies – They play in the most hitter friendly ballpark in the league & have the least runs scored in the league. Need I say more?

Los Angeles Dodgers – Naturally as soon as I mention “greatest team ever” potential, this team loses back to back series to NL East teams. Snell to the IL hurts them with a rotation which many questioned the durability of. Nonetheless they have the depth to remain the best team in the league despite this down week.

San Diego Padres – Very similar start to the season as their So. Cal counterparts, cooling off after their undefeated start. Dylan Cease got knocked around by the A’s, but Fernando Tatis is still doing his thing hitting tape measure shots. Luis Arraez struck out for his first time this season after going 58 at-bats without doing so (almost unimaginable).

San Francisco Giants – Relentless pitching (2nd in ERA) & clutch hitting has led the Giants to a hot start in 2025. Vibes look incredibly high in San Francisco, & if this start to the season means anything they may be more than just a “sleeper” team which I called them last week. Love the announcer too, great call on Yastrzemski’s walk-off homer against the Reds.