Two overrated, two underrated MLB teams heading into season

World Series titles might be won in October, but the debate over who might get there in 2025 has already commenced. 

Most MLB teams, however, will likely fall somewhere in between contender and pretender. But which clubs are closer to the promised land than you’d expect? And which ones might be further away? 

Here are two MLB teams that are overrated and two that are underrated heading into the 2025 season. 

Overrated

Baltimore Orioles | 2024 record: 91-71, second in AL East

The Orioles won 91 games in 2024 before bowing out in the wild-card round against the Kansas City Royals. A season after winning an AL East title, that was disappointing. 

Baltimore’s young core of position players, led by catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Gunnar Henderson, is sensational, but their starting pitching looks shaky. 41-year-old starter Charlie Morton (4.19 ERA in 2024) and 35-year-old pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano from Japan aren’t effective replacements for new Arizona Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes and his 2.92 ERA over 32 starts in 2024. 

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sanchez, who combined for 42 homers in 2024, look to replace switch-hitting outfielder Anthony Santander, a free agent who had 44 by himself last season. It seems safe to conclude that the decisions made by the Orioles this offseason are not inspiring. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal believes Baltimore’s offseason is tepid at best.

Houston Astros | 2024 record: 88-73, first in AL West

No American League team has been more dominant since 2017 than the Astros, which means they’re likely to earn the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

In fact, they have the third-highest betting odds to win the AL pennant in 2025 at +600, per Bet MGM, just behind the Yankees and Orioles. 

That might say more about how weak the AL is than how dominant the Astros are. Signing first baseman Christian Walker in free agency was a solid move, but trading outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs won’t help this season’s cause. Also, longtime third baseman Alex Bregman is all but gone. 

The pitching staff, led by ace Framber Valdez (2.91 ERA in 28 starts) and closer Josh Hader, may still be solid. But this team got bounced by the upstart Detroit Tigers in the wild-card round last season. 

Underrated

Athletics | 2024 record: 69-93, fourth in AL West

They’re just the Athletics these days, but they’re packing more of a punch on their way up to Sacramento.

The A’s went 32-32 in the second half of 2024 and 28-26 overall in one-run games. That’s pretty good for a 69-win team whose owner ripped away his team from its loyal fan base in Oakland.

Since then, the A’s have added veteran starters Luis Severino from the New York Mets in free agency and Jeffrey Springs in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, as well as extended outfielder Brent Rooker (39 home runs in 2024). That adds to an emerging core that includes flame-throwing closer Mason Miller (28 saves last season).

The playoffs might be out of reach in 2025, but don’t tell that to manager Mark Kotsay, who is excited about the moves his team has made.

Cincinnati Reds | 2024 record: 77-85, fourth in NL Central

Cincinnati lured longtime MLB skipper Terry Francona out of retirement to manage the Reds, whose roster he called “a talented group” at his introductory news conference back in November. And his presence might be the best thing to happen to a young team playing in a weak NL Central division.

Dynamic shortstop Elly De La Cruz (with his MLB-leading 67 stolen bases in 2024) needs no introduction and the foundation around him is stout. The Reds also recently added former Los Angeles Dodger and 2024 World Series champion Gavin Lux to a crowded but potentially elite infield. 

The Reds are truly underrated in the pitching department, however, with ace Hunter Greene (2.75 ERA in 26 starts last season) and new acquistion Brady Singer (3.71 ERA in 32 starts with the Kansas City Royals in 2024) in the rotation and Alexis Diaz (28 saves in 2024) closing games.

Recent reports indicate the Reds might be able to increase payroll with their new television deal in place for 2025. If that’s the case, Cincinnati could become a sneaky player in the National League this season.