Latest news with #WS
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani out-slug Yankees, Aaron Judge in potential World Series rematch
Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani out-slug Yankees, Aaron Judge in potential World Series rematch Show Caption Hide Caption Knicks championship or Yankees WS? We asked fans in the Bronx New York sports fans decide whether they would rather see the Knicks win a championship or the Yankees win a World Series. Sports Seriously LOS ANGELES − The calendar says it's May, but Friday night felt a whole lot like October at Dodger Stadium. It was a heavyweight prize fight. Power vs. power. Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani. The New York Yankees vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. These two juggernauts went toe-to-toe for nine innings, and in the end, it was Ohtani and the Dodgers thrusting their arms into the air with a wild 8-5 victory in front of 53,276 screaming fans. If this was a preview to this year's World Series, an encore after their 2024 World Series, let's flip the calendar to October now. The game, with suites selling as high as $15,000, the clubhouses jammed with more than 100 reporters and Hollywood stars in attendance, was a May classic. It began with a massive 446-foot Judge home run into the center-field pavilion in the top of the first inning. Ohtani answered with a 417-foot home run in the bottom of the first. 'I thought he was copying me,'' Judge said. 'He's impressive. He's one of the best players in the game for a reason.'' It was the first time in baseball history, including the postseason, that two reigning MVP winners homered in the same inning of a game. MLB payrolls 2025: Full list of every baseball team from highest to lowest 'If you're a baseball fan it doesn't get much better than that, right?'' Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. 'It was a great baseball atmosphere. It was good to be part of it.'' There were five home runs hit in the first three innings, including four by the Yankees, but by the end of the night, it was Ohtani and the Dodgers beating Yankees ace Max Fried (season-high six earned runs) and their bullpen. Fried, who entered the game with a 7-0 record and 1.29 ERA, was handed a 5-2 lead only for the Dodgers to score four runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh. It was reminiscent of the deciding Game 5 of the World Series last year when the Yankees coughed up a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. 'Both teams started on a really good note,'' Ohtani said, 'and I really thought it was important to score in that situation knowing that momentum is really important in the game today.'' Ohtani stole the show hitting his 21st and 22nd home runs of the season, giving him 15 homers in May, tying a franchise record last accomplished in 1985. He also set a team record by hitting 22 homers in the Dodgers' first 57 games and is now on pace to hit 63 home runs and score 173 runs. 'Shohei would probably say it's just like any other game,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, 'but when you see the other reigning MVP on the other side and going out there and performing, that brings out even more of a competitor in Shohei.'' Judge was the best supporting actor in this drama by hitting his American League-leading 19th homer, 15th double, and is now hitting a major-league leading .392 with a 1.236 OPS. 'It's fun, this is Yankee baseball,'' Judge said, 'and especially going against the Dodgers. They're having a great start to the season. It was just a fun atmosphere out there.'' It was just like the glory days when these two teams met 11 times in the World Series over a 40-year span, and again last season. And, for a night in May with more than 100 regular-season games still to be played, it certainly lived up to its hype. 'You certainly marvel at some of the players on the field tonight,'' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'I mean, there's a number of MVPs, All-Stars, and just great, great players. Judge had a great game with the homer and the double and an outstanding play in the game. So, some of the stars really showed up tonight.'' Said Judge: 'This is why I signed here, to play in big games, play in big moments, play for the best team.'' Well, the best team on this night was the same team that was spraying champagne on each other in October. The Dodgers didn't taunt the Yankees as they did over the winter, but the Dodgers public address announcer reminded everyone an hour before the game that the Dodgers are the defending World Series champions, and showed videotape highlights of Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam in Game 1. 'We love superstars, and to start the game off with Judge hitting a homer and Shohei answering in the bottom half,'' Roberts said, 'was pretty exciting for everyone. But it was a huge game for us to win. I think the intensity of the game, you can see the way that Aaron managed with urgency. I managed with urgency. It was a game that we both wanted.'' And, at the end of the night, it was the Dodgers coming out on top once again. Thanks to you-know-who. 'Every time he comes to the plate,'' Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin said of Ohtani, 'we're expecting something awesome to happen And he doesn't let us down a lot of times. So it's really cool to have someone like that on our team.'' The second round of the three-round fight is Saturday [7:15 p.m. ET, FOX], and while it may be the Yankees against the Dodgers, the baseball world will be focused on the latest bout between Judge and Ohtani, the two greatest players in the game. 'I try not to think about it,'' Judge said. 'I got a job to do on the field. I try not to get too hyped into that. That's for you guys to do.'' Stay tuned. The sequel awaits. Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani out-slug Yankees, Aaron Judge in a potential preview to October
Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani out-slug Yankees, Aaron Judge in a potential preview to October Show Caption Hide Caption Knicks championship or Yankees WS? We asked fans in the Bronx New York sports fans decide whether they would rather see the Knicks win a championship or the Yankees win a World Series. Sports Seriously LOS ANGELES − The calendar says it's May, but Friday night felt a whole lot like October at Dodger Stadium. It was a heavyweight prize fight. Power vs. power. Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani. The New York Yankees vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. These two juggernauts went toe-to-toe for nine innings, and in the end, it was Ohtani and the Dodgers thrusting their arms into the air with a wild 8-5 victory in front of 53,276 screaming fans. If this was a preview to this year's World Series, an encore after their 2024 World Series, let's flip the calendar to October now. The game, with suites selling as high as $15,000, the clubhouses jammed with more than 100 reporters and Hollywood stars in attendance, was a May classic. It began with a massive 446-foot Judge home run into the center-field pavilion in the top of the first inning. Ohtani answered with a 417-foot home run in the bottom of the first. 'I thought he was copying me,'' Judge said. 'He's impressive. He's one of the best players in the game for a reason.'' It was the first time in baseball history, including the postseason, that two reigning MVP winners homered in the same inning of a game. MLB payrolls 2025: Full list of every baseball team from highest to lowest 'If you're a baseball fan it doesn't get much better than that, right?'' Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said. 'It was a great baseball atmosphere. It was good to be part of it.'' There were five home runs hit in the first three innings, including four by the Yankees, but by the end of the night, it was Ohtani and the Dodgers beating Yankees ace Max Fried (season-high six earned runs) and their bullpen. Fried, who entered the game with a 7-0 record and 1.29 ERA, was handed a 5-2 lead only for the Dodgers to score four runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh. It was reminiscent of the deciding Game 5 of the World Series last year when the Yankees coughed up a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. 'Both teams started on a really good note,'' Ohtani said, 'and I really thought it was important to score in that situation knowing that momentum is really important in the game today.'' Ohtani stole the show hitting his 21st and 22nd home runs of the season, giving him 15 homers in May, tying a franchise record last accomplished in 1985. He also set a team record by hitting 22 homers in the Dodgers' first 57 games and is now on pace to hit 63 home runs and score 173 runs. 'Shohei would probably say it's just like any other game,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, 'but when you see the other reigning MVP on the other side and going out there and performing, that brings out even more of a competitor in Shohei.'' Judge was the best supporting actor in this drama by hitting his American League-leading 19th homer, 15th double, and is now hitting a major-league leading .392 with a 1.236 OPS. 'It's fun, this is Yankee baseball,'' Judge said, 'and especially going against the Dodgers. They're having a great start to the season. It was just a fun atmosphere out there.'' It was just like the glory days when these two teams met 11 times in the World Series over a 40-year span, and again last season. And, for a night in May with more than 100 regular-season games still to be played, it certainly lived up to its hype. 'You certainly marvel at some of the players on the field tonight,'' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'I mean, there's a number of MVPs, All-Stars, and just great, great players. Judge had a great game with the homer and the double and an outstanding play in the game. So, some of the stars really showed up tonight.'' Said Judge: 'This is why I signed here, to play in big games, play in big moments, play for the best team.'' Well, the best team on this night was the same team that was spraying champagne on each other in October. The Dodgers didn't taunt the Yankees as they did over the winter, but the Dodgers public address announcer reminded everyone an hour before the game that the Dodgers are the defending World Series champions, and showed videotape highlights of Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam in Game 1. 'We love superstars, and to start the game off with Judge hitting a homer and Shohei answering in the bottom half,'' Roberts said, 'was pretty exciting for everyone. But it was a huge game for us to win. I think the intensity of the game, you can see the way that Aaron managed with urgency. I managed with urgency. It was a game that we both wanted.'' And, at the end of the night, it was the Dodgers coming out on top once again. Thanks to you-know-who. 'Every time he comes to the plate,'' Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin said of Ohtani, 'we're expecting something awesome to happen And he doesn't let us down a lot of times. So it's really cool to have someone like that on our team.'' The second round of the three-round fight is Saturday [7:15 p.m. ET, FOX], and while it may be the Yankees against the Dodgers, the baseball world will be focused on the latest bout between Judge and Ohtani, the two greatest players in the game. 'I try not to think about it,'' Judge said. 'I got a job to do on the field. I try not to get too hyped into that. That's for you guys to do.'' Stay tuned. The sequel awaits. Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
What is Williams Syndrome? The rare condition that makes people unusually friendly
Picture striking up a conversation with a stranger on the bus and immediately feeling like they are your best friend or walking down a busy street feeling a wave of warmth, affection, and trust toward every single person you pass. For people with Williams Syndrome (WS), this isn't unusual, it's how they experience the world every day. A rare genetic disorder , Williams Syndrome, affects around 1 in 7,500 to 10,000 people worldwide. It is caused by the deletion of a small segment of chromosome 7, which contains 25–27 genes. This deletion not only leads to a unique personality marked by extreme empathy and sociability but also a range of symptoms, including distinctive facial features, developmental delays, and cardiovascular issues. Often described as the 'opposite of autism', people with Williams Syndrome are inclined towards forging instant connections with even strangers. However, on the flip side they fail to maintain friendships and social connections over a long period of time, which leaves them isolated. They are highly verbal, overly trusting, and eager to please. While these traits can be endearing, they can also make them vulnerable to manipulation and social isolation , especially as they struggle to maintain long-term friendships. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 여성 갱년기, '이것' 몰라서 20kg 살쪘다..(+이유) 현수맘 더 알아보기 Undo "It's very easy for someone to fool a person with Williams Syndrome and take advantage of them, because they are so trusting," Alysson Muotri, a professor of paediatrics and cellular and molecular medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) told BBC. "They give themselves to anybody without prejudice, which seems like a lovely trait, but at the end of the day there is a reason why the human brain evolved to be a little bit suspicious of a new person. You don't know if that person is there to hurt you or to love you, and they [a person with WS] cannot make that distinction," he says. Symptoms of Williams Syndrome WS is usually diagnosed in early childhood, often due to heart problems like supravalvular aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart). Other common features include low muscle tone, delayed milestones like walking or sitting, dental abnormalities, and endocrine issues such as early puberty or hypothyroidism. Many also have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, although verbal abilities are often strong. The genetic abnormality that makes people over-friendly Interestingly, researchers have begun to explore what makes people with WS so uniquely social. The gene GTF2I, often missing or altered in those with the condition, may play a central role. Studies on animals and humans suggest that this gene influences sociability. In mice, for example, a lack of GTF2I results in increased social behavior. In contrast, having extra copies of the gene is linked to social withdrawal and traits associated with autism. One theory suggests that the deletion of GTF2I disrupts the brain's myelination process. Myelin acts like insulation for neurons, speeding up communication between brain regions. Without proper myelination, the connection between the amygdala (which processes fear) and the frontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and social judgment) weakens. This may explain why people with WS don't exhibit the typical hesitation or fear around strangers. Boaz Barak, a professor at Tel Aviv University, is currently studying how clemastine—a common allergy medication that enhances myelination—might help treat WS. Early trials are underway, with results expected in late 2025. Beyond myelin, Muotri's team has discovered that neurons in people with WS form more synapses—connections between brain cells—than average. This neural 'overconnectivity' could explain why they experience such intense social reward from meeting new people. Their brains may release dopamine—the feel-good chemical—more readily in response to social interactions. Other factors may include elevated levels of oxytocin, the so-called 'love hormone,' and energy deficits in brain cells due to dysfunctional mitochondria. Together, these biological quirks paint a picture of a brain wired for connection, but not always equipped to navigate its complexities. Still, many families of individuals with WS emphasize the joy their children bring to those around them. 'We're not trying to erase their personalities,' Barak told BBC. 'We're simply offering tools to help them navigate the world more safely.' Are dating apps only for hook ups? One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SkyWater Appoints Dr. Percy Gilbert as Senior Vice President of Engineering
Gilbert's extensive technical expertise, proven track record of accomplishments and dedication to R&D underscore his proficiency in advanced semiconductor technologies BLOOMINGTON, Minn., April 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the trusted technology realization partner, today announced the appointment of Dr. Percy V. Gilbert as senior vice president of engineering. Gilbert will report directly to President and COO John Sakamoto and will be responsible for leading and expanding SkyWater's engineering organization, which is integral to the company's ongoing strategic growth in Advanced Technology Services (ATS), platform solutions and Wafer Services (WS). Gilbert will oversee key engineering functions during an exciting period of transition and growth, notably as the company moves toward closing the acquisition of Infineon's Austin Fab. In this capacity, he will work closely with senior engineering leaders to implement innovative solutions that streamline product development and ensure the delivery of high-performance semiconductor solutions to a diverse array of industries. "The appointment of Percy to lead our engineering team represents a significant milestone for SkyWater," said Sakamoto. "His leadership and technical expertise will drive our innovative culture as we continue to scale our operations and enhance our engineering capabilities. We look forward to leveraging his vast experience in semiconductor technology to deliver on our long-term strategic objectives." Gilbert brings over two decades of industry leadership and technical excellence to SkyWater. His distinguished career includes senior roles at NXP Semiconductors, where he steered new product development initiatives, and IBM Systems Group, where he led advanced process technology development and product engineering initiatives for next-generation microprocessors. His earlier roles at Motorola further solidified his reputation for driving innovation and delivering robust engineering solutions. Gilbert received his Ph.D. following his M.S. and B.S. in electrical and computer engineering from Purdue University. His extensive technical expertise is underscored by his impressive record of achievements, which includes 10 U.S. patents and more than 20 technical publications. "Joining SkyWater is an exciting new chapter for me," Gilbert said. "I am thrilled to contribute to a company that is at the forefront of innovation and to collaborate with a team committed to excellence. I look forward to driving initiatives that will help us set new benchmarks in engineering and customer success." About SkyWater SkyWater (NASDAQ: SKYT) is a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer and a DMEA-accredited Category 1A Trusted Supplier. SkyWater's Technology as a Service model streamlines the path to production for customers with development services, high-volume production and heterogeneous integration solutions in its U.S. facilities. This pioneering model enables innovators to co-create the next wave of technology within diverse categories including mixed-signal CMOS, read-out ICs, rad-hard ICs, MEMS, superconducting ICs, photonics and advanced packaging. SkyWater serves the growing markets of aerospace & defense, automotive, biomedical, industrial and quantum computing. For more information, visit: SkyWater Technology Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements that are based on SkyWater's current expectations or forecasts of future events, rather than past events and outcomes, and such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which may cause SkyWater's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Key factors that could cause SkyWater's actual results to be different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to, our goals and strategies; our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; our ability to complete our proposed acquisition of Fab 25 on the anticipated timeframe or at all and to realize the expected benefits of our proposed acquisition of Fab 25; our ability to continue operating our fabrication facilities at full capacity; our ability to appropriately respond to changing technologies on a timely and cost-effective basis; our customer relationships and our ability to retain and expand our customer relationships; our ability to accurately predict our future revenues for the purpose of appropriately budgeting and adjusting our expenses; our expectations regarding dependence on our largest customers; our ability to diversify our customer base and develop relationships in new markets; the performance and reliability of our third-party suppliers and manufacturers; our ability to procure tools, materials, and chemicals; our ability to control costs, including our operating and capital expenses; the size and growth potential of the markets for our solutions, and our ability to serve and expand our presence in those markets; the level of demand in our customers' end markets; our ability to attract, train and retain key qualified personnel; adverse litigation judgments, settlements or other litigation-related costs; changes in trade policies, including the imposition of or increase in tariffs; our ability to raise additional capital or financing; our ability to accurately forecast demand; changes in local, regional, national and international economic or political conditions, including those resulting from increases in inflation and interest rates, a recession, or intensified international hostilities; the level and timing of U.S. government program funding; our ability to maintain compliance with certain U.S. government contracting requirements; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in other documents that SkyWater files with the SEC, which are available at SkyWater assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. SKYT-CORP View source version on Contacts SkyWater Company Contact: Tara Luther | 952.851.5023 | SkyWater Media Contact: Lauri Julian | 949.280.5602 | Sign in to access your portfolio
New York Times
04-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
2025 MLB Franchise Rankings: Dodgers closing in on No. 1 team of past 25 years
It's time for another round of the tested, trusted, completely objective, never-been-questioned, all-math, no-bias MLB franchise rankings. First, a change: Rather than span the Wild-Card Era (1995 to present) as we have done previously, the franchise rankings will henceforth cover the past 25 years, a floating time frame that feels right to start this year — 25 for '25. The scoring system we borrowed years ago from football writer Bob Sturm and tweaked to fit baseball postseason structure has not changed since last year's edition. Advertisement Winning the World Series (WS): 9 points Losing in the World Series (WSL): 6 points Losing in the Championship Series (CS): 3 points Losing in Division Series (DS): 2 points Losing in Wild-Card Round (WC): 1 point The scoring system also incentivizes division titles (+1 point) and penalizes prolonged losing cycles, docking teams (-1 point) each time they lose at least 90 games in consecutive seasons. Add up the point totals from 2000 to 2024 and you have the franchise rankings. It's just simple math. In the past, some readers have asked to inject a recency bias into the scoring system — to calculate, say, the 2024 World Series as more valuable than the 2014 or 2004 titles. But no! This exercise aims to measure sustained success (and ineptitude) over a 25-year period. Below, we have included each team's point total and ranking from the past decade. Tiebreaker order: World Series wins, World Series losses, Championship Series appearances, Division Series appearances, division titles New time frame or not, the Pirates are still in the negative. Pittsburgh has been to the playoffs just three times since 1992, and advanced to the Division Series only once. It remains a tough time to be a Bucco fan. We don't need to belabor that point. With Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller and prospect Bubba Chandler, the Pirates' rotation could keep them competitive in 2025. But a playoff run would require a series of breakouts and bouncebacks in a lineup that underwhelms on paper. This offseason, the Pirates brought back Andrew McCutchen and Adam Frazier, signed Tommy Pham and traded for now-injured Spencer Horwitz. Fans had hoped for far more than that. The Orioles have gained ground with postseason appearances in the last two years, but they're still at the back of the pack over this 25-year span. Our scoring system is not kind to teams that rebuild — or accidentally stink for a long time? — and only one team (Kansas City) has had more consecutive 90-loss seasons since 2000 than the Orioles. But the Orioles are in a competitive mode now, with young talent up and down their lineup, from Gunnar Henderson to Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Colton Cowser. The rotation is without an ace like Corbin Burnes, but there's real talent there, and the bullpen should be exceptional. Step aside, Buccos. Cincinnati is the only team with a negative point total (-2) over the past 10 years. But because the scope of this ranking is wider than a decade, the Reds will mostly escape ridicule here. If a genie granted Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall one wish, he would probably inquire whether it was too much to ask for a full season of perfect health for this Reds roster. (It is.) Otherworldly numbers from Elly De La Cruz will only take a team so far if Matt McLain, Hunter Greene, TJ Friedl, Nick Lodolo and Jeimer Candelario are all hurt. For now, though, it's a (mostly) healthy and intriguing roster. Shifting our time frame to cover just the past 25 years eliminated two mid-1990s Mariners postseason trips included in previous rankings. Two more playoff appearances (ALCS runs in 2000 and 2001) will fall outside the 25-year window soon. So, Seattle could backslide further in this list in the next couple years. The primary reason for hope this season is that this rotation is still together. The team has made moves designed to marginally improve the lineup — adding Randy Arozarena, Victor Robles, Donovan Solano and re-signing Jorge Polanco — but after a no-splash offseason, the Mariners seem to be banking mostly upon positive regression from in-house options. The Rockies' miracle run to the 2007 World Series decides our first tiebreaker decision, placing them over the Mariners (still waiting on that first World Series appearance). But Colorado is moving backward lately. Having lost 94, 103 and 101 games the past three seasons, the deductions are racking up. The Rockies are not expected to be much better in 2025, though Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle and Ryan McMahon offer quality at the top of the lineup. If nothing else, it'll be worth tracking the progress of top-100 prospects Charlie Condon (the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft) and Chase Dollander (the No. 9 pick in the 2023 draft) this season. The lowest-ranked franchise on this list to have won a World Series in the past 25 years, the Marlins are a marvel. Since that 2003 title, Miami has turned in losing seasons in 15 of 21 years and made the playoffs just twice — once because of the 2020 expanded playoff field. Coming off a 100-loss season, the Marlins roster has worsened this offseason, having traded Jesús Luzardo and Jake Burger and added virtually no one. The lineup will likely be dreadful. But Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara is healthy again, Eury Pérez is progressing in his Tommy John recovery, and the Marlins have two top-100 pitching prospects in Thomas White and Noble Meyer. The Fish have arms, at least. The Padres' past quarter-decade has featured only one NLCS, but, boy, they sure had the smell of a World Series team in the 2024 postseason. Unfortunately for the Friars and their fans, the Dodgers exist, escaped the 2024 NLDS and are now stronger than ever. San Diego has had a relatively quiet offseason on the transaction front (not so much at the ownership level). But the top half of the lineup should be potent, the rotation has real arms and the bullpen, even after losing Tanner Scott in free agency, should be strong again. Even so, that little problem lingers: The Padres somehow still have to get past the Dodgers. Kansas City ranked 29th on last year's list, but bumping the starting point from 1995 to 2000 didn't hurt the Royals the way it did the teams now below them. The Royals hold the distinction of most consecutive 90-loss seasons in the past 25 years, with nine. They've made good use of their three playoff trips, reaching two World Series and winning one. The Royals project to make further progress in the years ahead. Bobby Witt Jr. is one of the best players in baseball. The rotation has Cole Ragan's top-tier stuff and the experience of Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen. The bullpen has added Hunter Harvey, Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez since July. The arrow is pointing up. The good news is the Blue Jays are one of just six franchises that have not recorded any consecutive 90-loss seasons since 2000. The bad news? The other five teams — Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals and Angels (yes, Angels) — are all ranked in the top 10. The Blue Jays are in the bottom 10 primarily due to their postseason drought that stretched from 1994 to 2015. Toronto has squeezed five playoff appearances into the past decade; the last three have been wild-card sweeps. Given the state of the AL East, the Blue Jays face another uphill climb this season, which could be Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s last hurrah in Toronto. The Blue Jays made interesting additions this offseason, from Anthony Santander and Andrés Giménez to Jeff Hoffman and Max Scherzer, but none were the big swing for which fans had clamored. Twenty-five years ago, the Nationals were still the Montreal Expos. If you erase the Expos years from our timeline, the Nats would have 16 total points and win a tiebreaker against the Brewers. Go ahead and tell your friends about that little loophole to get the Nationals in the top 20. Washington has been rotten since winning the 2019 World Series, which ended an eight-year run of competitiveness. They are longshots to contend in the NL East in 2025. For now, the franchise is treading water. But with several young potential stars — James Wood, CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews — on the rise, the future appears bright. This feels low, right? The Brewers have reached the playoffs in six of the past seven years (and were 86-76 the year they missed out). They've lost 90 games only once since 2004. But this is where the Brewers land because of early postseason exits — four of their past five playoff runs have ended in the Wild Card — and because they were pretty awful in the early 2000s. Milwaukee should be right back in the thick of the NL Central race this season. Their lineup, led by Jackson Chourio and William Contreras, has power and a penchant for running wild; their rotation is solid; and their bullpen, even without new Yankees closer Devin Williams, will continue to baffle batters. The White Sox won't finish last in everything this year, folks. Chicago set Major League Baseball's modern loss record last season, losing 121 games to 'beat' the expansion 1962 New York Mets. There's really no reason to expect the White Sox will be better this season. They probably will be, though, given how hard it is to lose 121 times in 162 tries. The White Sox traded ace Garrett Crochet. They have not traded Luis Robert Jr. — not yet, anyway. But they're still sitting in a decent spot in the franchise rankings. Because the 2005 White Sox were a wagon in October. And because flags fly forever. Fresh off spending their first October at home since 2018, Tampa has stocked up since last July in the most Raysian ways. They accepted reality and sold at the trade deadline, swapping veterans Jason Adam, Zach Eflin, Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes for 12 players, including several prospects now in the organization's top 20. This offseason, the Rays signed quality catcher Danny Jansen, landed a short-term deal with injured shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and took a flier on Eloy Jiménez. With the rotation much healthier now, the Rays are again positioned for a playoff run — and potentially to push higher up these rankings. The Tigers ended a decade-long postseason drought in style last year with a surprise second-half surge. Detroit was nine games under .500 in early July, sold at the trade deadline and was still .500 as late as Sept. 7. But they streaked into the playoffs and swept the Astros in the Wild Card Series before nearly closing out the Guardians in the Division Series. They added moderately this offseason, signing Gleyber Torres, Jack Flaherty and Tommy Kahnle and Alex Cobb. The roster still does not scream championship contender, but with reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and with more top-100 prospects (seven) than any other team, the Tigers certainly are capable of making noise again this season. Here come the big, bad Metropolitans. This franchise was something of a Cinderella story last season (though this Cinderella had the highest payroll in the land), clinching a playoff spot in a bonus-day doubleheader and then charging into the NLCS. It was their first time advancing in the postseason since 2015. And now the Mets have Juan Soto. Along with bringing back Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, Ryne Stanek and Jesse Winker, New York traded for Jose Siri and signed Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas and A.J. Minter, among others, in free agency. There was a lot of work to be done this winter. It got done. These are tough times for Athletics fans, as the rebuilding franchise leaves Oakland for a short-term stay in Sacramento. Over the past 25 years, though, there was a fair share of success, as the A's reached the playoffs 11 times. They only reached the ALCS once (they were swept by the Tigers in 2006), however, and they haven't won a game that deep into the playoffs since 1992. The A's don't project to be playoff-bound this season, though with the offseason additions of Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and Jose Leclerc they certainly are capable of breaking their streak of three consecutive 90-loss seasons. It took the fifth tiebreaker (division titles) to distinguish between the Twins and A's. Neither reached a World Series since 2000; each had one Championship Series loss, seven Division Series losses and two Wild-Card losses. That's a lot of bites at the apple, as the saying goes, and a lot of disappointing exits. The Twins have been to the playoffs 10 times in the past 25 years, but the last nine times, they have not advanced beyond the ALDS. The Twins are still a talented bunch, but they have not substantively added to the roster in the past two offseasons. The plan is, for the most part, to run it back in 2025. The Cubs haven't won a postseason game since 2017, but a World Series ring and a couple NLCS appearances in the past 25 years are good enough for a top-half finish here. This is a crucial year for the Cubbies. If this is their only year with Kyle Tucker, they'd better make it count. They added a handful of free agents this offseason — notably Matthew Boyd, Caleb Thielbar, Justin Turner, Jon Berti, Carson Kelly and Colin Rea — but did most of their work in the trade market, acquiring Tucker, Ryan Pressly and Ryan Brazier. The Cubs still project as a fringe Wild-Card team this season, but it's not hard to fathom them making a run at Milwaukee atop the NL Central. The Diamondbacks have a tiebreaker over the Cubs, having appeared in two World Series since 2000. Arizona had the top run-scoring offense in the majors last season, but the pitching staff badly underperformed and the Diamondbacks were eliminated from playoff contention on the last day of the regular season. They upgraded their rotation with authority this winter, adding ace Corbin Burnes on a six-year contract. The D-Backs replaced departed free agent Christian Walker with Josh Naylor. They exercised Eugenio Suárez's option and re-signed Randal Grichuk. There may be a dip in offensive production in 2025, but a markedly improved pitching staff could make up for that. Whittling our time frame to the past 25 years knocks out Cleveland's great late-1990s run — two World Series appearances, an ALCS exit and two in the ALDS — but the Guardians are still knocking on the door of our top 10. In the past decade, the Guardians have the fifth-most points from our scoring system, behind only the Dodgers, Astros, Braves and Yankees. Cleveland operates with a much more small-market mindset than those four but has managed to sustain success. They are, however, the highest-ranked team in our list without a World Series title in this 25-year window. This winter, the Guardians re-signed the rehabbing Shane Bieber, traded for Gavin Lux, Brady Singer and Taylor Rogers, signed Austin Hays and Scott Barlow and brought back Carlos Santana to replace Josh Naylor at first base. The Rangers disappointed last season coming off their 2023 championship, but three World Series appearances in the past 15 seasons squeak them into the top 10 via a tiebreaker advantage over the Guardians. No other top-10 franchise has had as few playoff seasons since 2000 as Texas (six); the Rangers have made those chances count. The 2025 Rangers' results will hinge upon health and a return to career norms for a number of regulars. Joc Pederson and Jake Burger bring more thunder to the lineup. Nathan Eovaldi is back, and the bullpen has been rebuilt. "Healthy Jacob deGrom" is one of the most enticing (and fleeting) thoughts one can conjure. The Rangers have stars and young studs, but with so much injury risk baked into this roster, just hold your breath. That's right! The Angels! The 2000s are doing almost all the lifting for this franchise, which is remarkable when you consider that the 2010s and 2020s were when they employed Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Despite their current standing as the butt of many baseball jokes, the Angels have not had a single instance of back-to-back 90-loss seasons in the past 25 years. Yet. After avoiding that distinction as narrowly as possible in recent years, losing 89 games in 2022 and 2023, they lost 99 last season. Can the 2025 Angels avoid losing 90? Adding veterans such as Yusei Kikuchi, Kenley Jansen, Yoán Moncada, Travis d'Arnaud and Jorge Soler should help, but without Anthony Rendon and with Trout's health always in question, the Angels still look like a team stuck in the murky middle. The 2024 Phillies snatched the franchise's first division title since 2011 — the tail end of their five-year reign that included two World Series appearances — but exited the postseason in the NLDS, a year after exiting in the NLCS, a year after reaching the World Series. So, yeah, getting stomped by the Mets was a downer. The Phillies did not set out to make a splash this offseason, but smart adds of Jesús Luzardo, Jordan Romano and Max Kepler could pay dividends. Navigating an NL East with three teams jockeying for playoff positioning will be hard enough. For Philadelphia, the real test awaits in October. The Giants haven't advanced past the NLCS since 2014, but winning three World Series rings in the past 25 years is a sure way to rack up points. This Giants roster, now under the command of franchise legend Buster Posey, should be better this season with Willy Adames at shortstop, Jung Hoo Lee healthy and Justin Verlander rounding out the rotation. But in the grand scheme of the NL West, it's still hard to feel great about the Giants compared to the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Padres. San Francisco has averaged 80 wins the past three seasons. Given the division context, they still feel rather 80-win-ish these days. The Braves may have been the biggest loser in our timeframe switch this season, dropping four spots when we cut out their 1995-99 playoff runs. Still, making the playoffs in 16 of the past 25 years is pretty impressive. The Braves have reached the postseason for seven consecutive Octobers, though they've advanced beyond the NLDS just twice (2020 and 2021). Atlanta lost a lot of talented ballplayers this offseason — Max Fried, Charlie Morton, Travis d'Arnaud, a couple relievers. They addressed left field by signing Jurickson Profar. If Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider and Chris Sale are healthy for most of the 2025 season, this team's ceiling remains remarkably high. The Astros didn't just lose a third baseman to the Red Sox this winter. They also lost a franchise-ranking tiebreaker! Talk about a double whammy. Houston has accrued the second-most points of any team in the past decade, just four points behind the Dodgers. But the 2025 Astros are missing many familiar faces. Alex Bregman is a Red Sox. Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly are Cubs. Justin Verlander is a Giant. Yusei Kikuchi is an Angel. The Astros brought in Christian Walker, Isaac Paredes and Hayden Wesneski. They still might win a wide-open AL West. But it's going to be strange seeing Jose Altuve play left field as many of his fellow World Series-winning former teammates are now scattered across the league. Not sure if any of you had heard of this franchise until Netflix rolled out a couple recent documentaries, but the reason these Red Sox are perched up so high in our rankings is the rings. '04. '07. '13. '18. Boston hasn't won the AL East since 2018, and they're not favorites to do so in 2025, but their moves this winter warranted attention. The Red Sox added a few starters (Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval) and two lefty relievers (Aroldis Chapman and Justin Wilson), then took a big swing in mid-February, signing third baseman Alex Bregman away from the Astros on a short-term deal. The Cardinals have reached the playoffs in 16 of the past 25 years and advanced to at least the NLCS 10 times. But it's been a bummer lately. The Cards were a Wild Card loser in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and they missed the playoffs entirely the past two seasons. This season is unlikely to be fruitful. St. Louis did not orchestrate a sell-off, exactly, though they were in trade talks about Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley. Their timeline for a return to World Series contention is not entirely clear, as the front office begins its transition out of the John Mozeliak era. For now, we'll see whether they improve running it back with mostly the same roster as last season. The Dodgers are the best team of the past decade by our scoring system, as their 53 points in that time are double the total of any team not named the Astros (47 points). A World Series win over the Yankees pulled Los Angeles within striking distance of our No. 1. Did they stop there? They did not! In fact, evaluators consider them the league's most-improved team this spring. The Dodgers continue to spend (and defer) enormous sums of money. Coming off a championship, they've re-signed Teoscar Hernández, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen and Kiké Hernández and bolstered the roster by signing Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Michael Conforto and Hyeseong Kim. It's overwhelming. New time frame, same champion. When these rankings still spanned the Wild-Card Era (1995 to present), the Yankees were miles ahead. Now that we're only looking at the past 25 years, the Dodgers are closing fast. The Yankees' 2000 World Series title will fall outside our window for next year's ranking, so the franchise that collects more points this season will be our No. 1. Frustrated as fans have been by the Yankees over the past decade — last fall, they reached their first World Series since 2009 — the team has made the postseason in 20 of the 25 years in our exercise, four times more than any other franchise. This offseason, the Yankees lost a star, Juan Soto, and a number of contributors. They added a big-time starter (Max Fried), a closer (Devin Williams) and two former MVPs (Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt). The road is not easy in the AL East, but the Yankees, led by Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, remain formidable. (Top illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos: Scott Taetsch, Ric Tapia, Lachlan Cunningham, Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
