Preseason Preview Day 3: Royals + Phillies

Kansas City Royals

There is nothing like a small market team going out and swinging big (respectively) in free agency to try and speed up their rebuild process. The 2024 Kansas City Royals did just that, going after proven veteran arms like Michael Wacha, Chris Stratton, Will Smith and top 3 Cy Young finalist Seth Lugo, partnered with extending their young superstar Bobby Witt Jr. to be under control for the next decade plus.

The additions of Lugo and Wacha proved pivotal down the stretch as the Royals pushed the Guards for the division title and went strong into October taking care of the heavy favored Baltimore Orioles in 2 games, only to fall to the Yankees in a quick 4 game ALDS. Heading into 2025, the league is officially aware of this version of the Royals. They have their franchise aircraft carrier in Bobby Witt Jr primed for another MVP run and a front line left handed pitcher in Cole Ragans, who was acquired back in 2023 from the Rangers for Aroldis Chapman. Ragans, Lugo and Wacha should provide length and stability throughout the long season, while the addition of Jonathan India via trade and Carlos Estevez in free agency only add to this up and coming team.

Draftkings Sportsbook currently has the Royals win total at 83.5. While the AL Central isn’t necessarily the best division, there are now 4 pretty solid teams within the division that are going to beat up on each other a bit. Coupled with the fact that they do not quite match up very well with the teams on the coasts, I think the Royals take a bit of a step back this year and fall short of not only their win total, but the playoffs. I believe Wacha and Lugo outperformed or reached their max potential last season, and you can’t expect much more out of Bobby Witt or Salvy Perez in terms of out-producing their less than ideal pitching.

Philadelphia Phillies

Everyone’s favorite fanbase, the Philadelphia Phillies. I have a pretty hot take about this Phillies team - they are the easiest team to root for when they are not playing your favorite team (maybe not for Braves or Mets fans but you get it). They seem to have a club full of ‘baseball guys’ between Schwarber, Harper, Turner, Realmuto, Castellanos etc. With that being said, I think most of us baseball fans probably expected them to win a title by now, which they have obviously fallen short of and even regressed since their 2022 World Series run against Houston.

All in all, the 2025 Phillies are going to look a lot like their teams in recent history - A well rounded group of offensive talent 1-9 coupled with the leagues best pitcher in Zach Wheeler who is backed up by innings eater Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Christopher Sanchez and newly acquired Jesus Luzardo. There is no secret that their bullpen can use some reinforcements, as it has proven to be an issue come playoff time. While they added Jordan Romano, who is coming off Tommy John Surgery, they lost Carlos Estevez in free agency who was their high leverage closer down the stretch last season.

Draftkings Sportsbook as the Phillies win total at 91.5 - I love love love the over on this (+100). I personally believe that outside of the Dodgers, this is the best team in the league. They are going to have a chance to beat up on the Marlins, Mets and Nats within the division as those teams have significantly weaker rosters in comparison. This division will come down to them and Atlanta, but I would advise putting some serious thought into a nice wager on that over 91.5 wins (not an expert).