Have you ever heard of the phrase “they don’t play the game on paper?” When it comes to baseball, a lineup on paper may look imposing to a rookie starter, but they don’t play the game on paper. A rookie starter could throw a gem, even a no-hitter against a formidable lineup. A heavy favorite in the playoffs, with depth at seemingly every position, in the bullpen, on the mound could get swept by an opponent with far less firepower but much more momentum. If you look at the rosters online of Major League teams, you may pick a team with a loaded roster over one with say journeymen or rookies. To coin the phrase one last time, they don’t play the game of baseball in the Major Leagues on paper.

Alright, we as baseball fans all make predictions. The Red Sox will win the World Series. Gunnar Henderson will hit .400. Paul Skenes will strikeout 300 batters. The Colorado Rockies will lose 100 games. Whatever you have predicted, let’s call it your bingo card for the 2025 MLB season. And since it has been about a week or so since the MLB season has started, let’s take a moment to pull out those bingo cards and see if you have any of these beauties appear on your 2025 predictions bingo card, so you can place a dot over that square:

• The San Diego Padres are undefeated at 6-0. However, they are not the top team in their division. Because the LA Dodgers are one game better at 7-0. Imagine going 6-0 and that is not enough to overtake the Dodgers? Wow, the NL West is loaded with top teams.
• Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers has 200 home runs and over 1000 hits in his career spanning close to 9 years. Boston’s Kristian Campbell has played a total of 5 games in the Major Leagues. So far in 2025, Devers is 0 for 19 with a whopping 15 strikeouts. Campbell is 6 for his first 16 with a HR. Wow, who could have predicted that one?
• The Chicago White Sox have the same record (I know, its early) as 4 playoff teams from 2024 – Guardians, Mets, Astros, and Royals. Great start, let’s see how they fare going forward.
• I ordered the MLB.TV package. I’m not cheap, not by any means. But I always balked at paying $150 for a streaming baseball service. Boy, was I naïve. MLB.TV is awesome and I have watched games every single day. And I get to watch and listen to Boston Red Sox games all year long.
• You get the customary “free” space to mark with your dot

Ok, how many of you are shouting “Bingo” at this point? Well, it is just 5 or so games in to the season so way, way to early make crazy predictions based on the first week. Let’s check back in around May for the first month of the season bingo card status. Have a great day everyone. Go Sox and Go Paul Skenes, just about to watch him in his second start on…MLB.TV!!!