As the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season approaches its final weeks, several players are setting remarkable paces that could lead to record-breaking performances. Cal Raleigh recently hit his 49th home run, surpassing Salvador Perez‘s record for the most home runs in a season by a catcher. Simultaneously, sluggers such as Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, and Shohei Ohtani continue to demonstrate their elite status in the league. Meanwhile, pitchers Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes are putting up impressive numbers as well. MLB experts are weighing in on whether these stars can maintain their current trajectories as they head toward the postseason.
Cal Raleigh’s Historic Season
With just over 30 games remaining in the season, Raleigh is projected to hit 61 home runs. David Schoenfield suggests that although this is a tall order, it is not entirely out of reach. Raleigh has experienced two 31-game stretches this season in which he hit over a dozen home runs. Now that he has broken the catcher’s record, he can aim for the Mariners franchise record of 56, set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997.
However, some analysts express caution. Schoenfield notes that Raleigh’s performance has slowed since the All-Star break, where he was on a 64-home run pace. He has struggled with strikeouts in August, raising questions about whether fatigue is setting in. The consensus among experts leans towards Raleigh finishing slightly under the 61-homer mark.
Home Run Races and WAR Predictions
In the battle for the National League home run title, both Kyle Schwarber and Shohei Ohtani are on pace for over 55 home runs. Jesse Rogers predicts that Schwarber will edge out the competition with 56 homers, citing his strong September performances in previous seasons. His slugging percentage against left-handed pitching is particularly noteworthy, hinting at additional home runs as the season wraps up.
Conversely, Buster Olney believes Schwarber could reach 59 home runs, emphasizing his impressive consistency against both right and left-handed pitchers. Given his recent form, experts are optimistic about Schwarber’s chances of winning the home run crown.
On the pitching side, Aaron Judge currently leads the league with a 7.3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). However, Jorge Castillo reports that Judge’s performance has dipped post-All-Star break due to a flexor strain. As he works his way back to full fitness, experts anticipate his final WAR to settle around 8.7 to 9.1, depending on his ability to remain healthy and contribute on the field.
Strikeouts and ERA: Skubal and Skenes
Among the pitching elite, Tarik Skubal is on track to achieve 247 strikeouts this season. With 200 strikeouts already through 25 starts, he has enough games left to reach his goal. Experts like Jesse Rogers suggest that the Detroit Tigers may limit his innings if they secure their division early, but Skubal’s potential for high strikeout outings could push him to surpass the 250 mark.
Meanwhile, Paul Skenes leads the majors with a 2.07 ERA, though his performance may falter as the season closes. Buster Olney predicts that the Pittsburgh Pirates will be careful with his workload to ensure he remains a contender for the National League Cy Young Award. The consensus is that Skenes may finish the season with a slightly higher ERA but still remains a standout pitcher.
As the MLB season nears its conclusion, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if these players can maintain their extraordinary performances. With records within reach and playoff berths on the line, the upcoming weeks promise to deliver thrilling baseball action.
