Inside the Analyst’s Bold Pick: Which MLB Team Is Destined to Dominate This Season?

Ever wonder what it takes to be the team to beat in Major League Baseball? Well, if you glance over at the Phillies’ corner, you might just find your answer. After cruising into the postseason for the third straight year with a solid 95-67 record, Philly claimed the NL East crown once again—but their playoff stroll was cut shockingly short by the Mets in the Division Series. Ouch. Yet, despite that painful exit, baseball pundit Matt Vasgersian is ringing the loudest bell, declaring the Phillies as the reigning giants to challenge come 2025. They’ve tinkered with their roster a bit—bringing in firepower like Jesus Luzardo and Max Kepler—and their lineup’s star-studded enough to make any pitcher sweat. Of course, the bullpen drama from last year still haunts them, but if that can bounce back, could this be the year Philly finally rewrites its postseason story and chases down that elusive World Series glory? Stick around, because this saga’s just heating up—sometimes in baseball, it’s not just the caps in the stands that catch your eye, it’s the fire behind them.

The Philadelphia Phillies made the postseason for a third straight season after finishing with a record of 95-67 and winning the National League East.

Although the Phillies won the division title for the first time in three seasons, they had their shortest playoff run of the stretch as they lost to the New York Mets in the National League Division Series.

This offseason, the Phillies made a few notable acquisitions, including starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins and outfielder Max Kepler from the Minnesota Twins.

Even though the Phillies had a disappointing postseason in 2024, MLB analyst Matt Vasgersian has great confidence in them in 2025.

“The Phillies are still the team to beat for me,” Vasgersian said, via MLB Network.

"The Phillies are still the team to beat for me."

Matty V and Harold discuss the offseason from the reigning NL East champions and where they stand in the stacked division entering next season. #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/ww7V9ASDPb

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 4, 2025

Vasgersian mentions the new-look bullpen that the Phillies have, and he believes that unit hurt the Phillies the most in the 2024 playoffs.

The lineup returns plenty of star power, including Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos.

The Phillies look primed to put up runs in bunches in 2025, and if their bullpen can hold its own, then they could be the team to beat in the NL East and beyond.

The Phillies won the World Series in 2008 and have appeared twice since then but lost both times.

They will look to get back to the World Series in 2025 and redeem their losses from 2009 and 2022.

The post Analyst Names The ‘Team To Beat’ In MLB appeared first on The Cold Wire.