Although the 2025 MLB season is just a few weeks old, that hasn’t stopped baseball fans from diving into early-season debates. While it’s far too early to make any final judgments, part of the fun is seeing who’s hot and cold and which teams are already making headlines for better or worse.
At Fairfield, students took to Fizz to cast their votes on the biggest winners and losers so far, and the results weren’t particularly close. An overwhelming 73 percent picked the San Francisco Giants as the most impressive team through the first stretch of games, while 82 percent named the Atlanta Braves as the biggest disappointment.
It’s no surprise that the Giants topped the winner category. After finishing 80–82 last season, San Francisco has stormed out of the gate in 2025. As of April 7, the Giants sit at 8–1 and lead the National League West, holding a +19 run differential. Their revamped lineup, featuring the offseason addition of Matt Chapman and the hot bat of Jung Hoo Lee, has clicked early. The rotation, led by Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks, has posted a combined ERA under 3.50 through the first nine games.
The Giants’ early surge has caught plenty of attention across campus. Though the team didn’t come into the season with sky-high expectations, they are proving that last year’s rebuild may already be ahead of schedule.
Also earning buzz this April are the San Diego Padres, who have gotten off to a red-hot start in the National League West. Sitting at 8-2 through their first ten games, San Diego has looked sharp both at the plate and on the mound. Fernando Tatis Jr. is swinging the bat well, while Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado continue to anchor a veteran-heavy lineup. The Padres’ pitching staff, led by Michael King, has been quietly effective, helping them keep pace with the surging Giants. After losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 NLDS, the Padres appear motivated to make a statement early, showing fans and critics alike that they are ready to contend for a championship once again.
On the other end of the spectrum, no team has raised more concern or drawn more campus chatter than the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta, who finished 89–73 in 2024 and returned nearly all of their core, was widely expected to be one of the most dominant teams in baseball. Instead, they opened the season 1–8 and entered the weekend with the league’s worst run differential at –34.
“The most disappointing team so far has definitely been the Braves. A 1–8 start is brutal, but I expect them to turn it around once they get back some key players,” said Matt Borella ’27.
The Braves’ struggles have been compounded by the absence of ace Spencer Strider, who has yet to pitch this season and is currently on a rehab assignment after dealing with elbow discomfort. It certainly doesn’t help that superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is sidelined and aiming for a mid-May return, while catcher Sean Murphy was only just activated from the injured list.
The Baltimore Orioles, who received 18 percent of the vote for the biggest loser, have also had a rocky start. After a breakout 91-win season in 2024, Baltimore is 4–6 and sitting at the bottom of the American League East. Their rotation has struggled, and young pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish are still working their way back from injury. While the offense, led by Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, has kept them competitive, bullpen depth has been an issue. Veteran closer Craig Kimbrel is no longer with the team after being released last September, so the Orioles will have to lean heavily on Félix Bautista to shut the door in close games this season.
Despite the small sample size, Fairfield students have already made their voices heard. Whether it’s rooting for an underdog or venting frustrations over a slow start, MLB talk has picked up quickly on Fizz. While many have focused on early-season surprises, others are already looking ahead.
“I believe the Dodgers are going to make it back to the World Series. After their performance last year, I don’t see them slowing down in 2025,” said Pat Borruso ’27. “Closer to home, there’s a lot of hype around the Mets with the Soto deal, and I think they have a real shot at a strong season. The Yankees, even with injuries to stars like Cole and Stanton, still have a chance to make a deep run.”
Although April baseball is far from the full story, the early weeks help shape narratives, build momentum, and spark discussion, especially at Fairfield. The Giants are off to a hot start, the Padres are keeping pace, the Braves are trying to recover, and the Orioles are looking to stabilize after a shaky opening. As spring settles in, the 2025 season is already giving students plenty to talk about.
