2025 MLB Predictions: Phillies Head 3 NL East Playoff Picks

After winning the division in 2024, Philly returns with the same stacked roster, a dominant rotation and a sense of urgency as its championship window narrows. Meanwhile, the Braves, fresh off an injury-ravaged season, are poised for a bounce-back campaign while the Mets are betting big on Juan Soto’s $765 million bat to keep them in the fight.

Juan Soto shut this fan up real good last night😇 pic.twitter.com/YBKeLfC4dg

— Mets Batflip (@metsbatflip1) March 11, 2025

With three legitimate playoff teams, the NL East will be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. Keep an eye on the MLB futures betting odds; this race could go down to the wire.

3 NL East Playoff Predictions

1. Philadelphia Phillies (-300): The Champs Return

The Phillies finally broke through in 2024, winning their first NL East title since 2011. Now, they enter 2025 with essentially the same roster that’s been a postseason staple for three straight years, per MLB betting trends. Only this time, they’re gunning for something bigger. Bryce Harper (.900+ OPS in five of his last six seasons) remains the heartbeat of the lineup and Zack Wheeler (2.57 ERA, 200 IP in 2024) is still one of the best pitchers in baseball.

What makes this year’s squad different? The addition of Jesús Luzardo, a high-upside lefty with electric stuff, gives them an even deeper rotation behind Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez. Wheeler is tied for second in NL Cy Young odds at +750.

The lineup is still packed with power. Kyle Schwarber can sleepwalk into 40 home runs and Trea Turner could be a legitimate MVP candidate if he puts together a full season of peak production.

The biggest question: Can they avoid the strikeout-heavy, feast-or-famine offense that doomed them in last year’s playoffs? The window is still open, but J.T. Realmuto and Schwarber hit free agency after this year, making 2025 a critical season for the franchise. If they stay healthy, they’re the team to beat in the NL East — and a legitimate bet on World Series contender.

MLB Pick: Phillies to make the playoffs -300

Bryce Harper loves Philly so much that he got a Phanatic tattoo 😂💚

(via andyoutattoo/IG) pic.twitter.com/Ihxh4dqhIk

— MLB (@MLB) February 21, 2025

2. Atlanta Braves (-350): Don’t Call It a Comeback

Atlanta’s 2024 season was an absolute mess. Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL, Spencer Strider blew out his UCL and just about everyone else missed time. Despite that, they still managed to win 89 MLB games and sneak into the playoffs. That’s how ridiculously talented this team is. If 2024 was an outlier, 2025 could be a return to dominance.

Acuña should be back by May, and while he likely won’t be at full speed right away, he’s still one of the most dangerous players in baseball. Chris Sale (2.38 ERA, 225 Ks) was a revelation in 2024, and if he repeats that performance, Atlanta’s rotation will be just fine, even without Strider.

The lineup is still stacked: Matt Olson needs to rediscover his power stroke (47 HR in 2023, just 27 in 2024), Austin Riley remains an offensive force, and Ozzie Albies is one of the best second basemen in baseball.

The depth behind the stars is the only real concern. The Braves were thin last year, and they didn’t make many big moves this offseason besides adding Jurickson Profar. But as long as they stay remotely healthy, this is still a 95+ win team and a legit World Series threat. Predictably, Profar is already hurt, but he is confident he will be active on opening day.

If you’re making MLB picks, the Braves are always worth considering, but they may need more from their supporting cast to overtake Philly.

MLB Pick: -350 to make the playoffs

3. New York Mets (-280): The Soto Show

The Mets were already a solid team in 2024, but they entered a new stratosphere of MLB news this offseason by giving Soto $765 million to be their offensive centerpiece. With Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos already in the lineup, this team should mash its way into the playoffs — assuming the pitching holds up.

And that’s the problem. Kodai Senga, their ace, made just one start in 2024, and his health remains a major question mark. Sean Manaea is already hurt, Frankie Montas is always hurt and the rest of the rotation is being held together with duct tape and a prayer. That means a ton of pressure on the offense to carry them through stretches where the rotation struggles.

The good news? Soto might be the best pure hitter in baseball. He led the league in OBP last season, and if he delivers a 40-homer, 120-RBI season, the Mets will be in every game. Soto is second to Shohei Ohtani at +500 in NL MVP odds.

The bullpen, led by Clay Holmes, should be solid, and if Senga returns to his 2023 form (2.98 ERA, 202 Ks in 166 IP), the Mets could be dangerous.

They’ll be fighting for a Wild Card spot, but if everything clicks, they could be more than just a playoff team — they could be a real contender and justify their MLB lines. Their playoff hopes might hinge on whether their rotation can survive the season’s long grind.

MLB Pick: -280 to make the playoffs

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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