September 18, 2025
Providence College's Student-Run Newspaper Since 1935
by Dorothée Durivage ’28 on September 18, 2025
Since the preseason, the Dodgers have been favored to win this year’s World Series. Throughout the regular season and as we enter the postseason, the odds have changed, but sportsbook sites still list the Dodgers as having the best odds. Other contenders include the Yankees, Phillies, and Brewers, but I’m still taking the Dodgers, even though as a Yankees fan that pains me to admit. The Dodgers started the season strong with eight undefeated games. Once July hit, however, they really began to suffer, losing 32 of their 54 games in July, August, and September. This slump caused many people to be skeptical, and most remain that way. But, in my opinion, it’s safe to say they rebounded well and have started to thrive again. They stand at No. 1 in the NL West.
They do still face considerable challenges, though. For starters, it’s pretty difficult to win back-to-back championships. The last team to do so was the Yankees from 1998–2000, but since then, it has yet to be done again. As far as their roster goes, the Dodgers have used over 30 different pitchers this season, mostly due to injury. The bullpen isn’t great right now, either. If you look at teams like the Phillies, who have one of the best starting pitching rotations in baseball, or the Brewers, who have the best record, you might be inclined to take them as your pick. So why the Dodgers? The answer is simple: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. Same reason as last year; they have a lot of players who play exceptional baseball. It’s why, even with their slump, they still hold the one seed in the NL West and are on track to win their 12th NL West title in 13 years. When these players are playing their best, it’s very difficult to beat them. Although they aren’t necessarily as dominant as last year’s team, the odds remain in their favor as October rolls around.
The Milwaukee Brewers are highly likely to win the 2025 World Series. With the most wins in the MLB so far this season, the Brewers are on track to surpass their regular season scoring from 2024, where they ended with 93 wins and 69 losses. Their current record stands at 91 wins and 59 losses, placing them first in the National League Central. They achieved this strong record while being the first team this season to pass the 90-win threshold, putting them ahead of the pack and setting a good precedent for their ability to win this season’s World Series. The Brewers have the best winning percentage in the Majors, and they’re on track to break the all-time franchise wins record of 116 wins held by the 2001 Mariners and the 1906 Chicago Cubs.The Brewers clinched a wild-card spot this season, being the first team to get their postseason spot on Sept. 13. This marks their seventh postseason appearance in eight years, but this year could be different. The Brewers’ roster has seen a lot of changes this season, with pitcher Quinn Priester coming to Milwaukee from Boston arguably being the most impactful trade this season. Priester has pitched in 18 straight winning games this season, helping the team reach its 91 wins. Other important players who would help the Brewers win this year’s World Series are the three MLB all-stars on the team. Three pitchers were added to the roster this season, with Freddy Peralta and Jacob Misiorowski as starting pitchers and Trevor Megill as a relief pitcher. Starting 13 games this season, Jacob Misiorowski has pitched 60 innings so far, leading the Brewers to five wins.
Misiorowski’s fastball velocity of 99.2 mph puts him in the 98th percentile for the Majors, which is impressive, seeing as he is not Milwaukee’s starting pitcher. This could prove to be important in the Brewers’ chase to win the Commissioner’s Trophy.
