NL vs AL: who will win the 2025 World Series?
Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash
Major League Baseball as we know it today is built on two separate leagues: the National League, founded in 1876, and the American League, established in 1901. For decades they operated almost as independent entities. The World Series, first held in 1903, became the ultimate proving ground: NL champion versus AL champion on a grand stage. Over the decades, rivalries, contrasting styles, and bragging rights developed between the two leagues. Although organizationally MLB is unified now, the cultural and stylistic distinctions between NL and AL persist. Fans and pundits still talk about the “soul” of each league, especially when they clash in the Fall Classic.
As playoffs start, the historical NL vs AL rivalry arises. Which one will conquer the World Series this year? Although the AL is numerically bigger, in the last 5 years NL teams succeeded 3 times in the World Series. What will be the teams that this year will keep the flame of this rivalry alive? In order to know the favorite teams to reach the long-awaited final, check the quotes and forecasts on the page https://www.oddschecker.com/us/baseball/mlb/playoffs, one of the most reliable comparison tools in the sports betting world.
Style of Play: Offense vs Strategy
One of the most enduring debates is whether the AL or the NL offers more offense or more strategic nuance. Some of this stems from historic rule differences: the American League adopted the designated hitter (DH) rule in 1973 (allowing a hitter to bat in place of the pitcher) whereas the National League long resisted it (requiring pitchers to hit). This meant that AL teams generally emphasized more potent hitting lineups. The NL, by contrast, traditionally encouraged more managerial tactics because the pitcher’s spot in the batting order forced more in‑game decisions.
In recent years, MLB has moved toward universal DH, which narrows that structural gap. Still, perception lingers: NL is often portrayed as “small‑ball,” deeper benches, more situational play; AL as more power-hitting and big sluggers. In practice, the gap has blurred. The statistical reality is that from season to season, run environment, ballparks, and roster construction matter more than a league label.
Titles, trends, and iconic AL vs NL Showdowns
Over more than a century, NL and AL teams have won hundreds of pennants and dozens of World Series titles. The balance has shifted over eras. Some classic World Series showdowns stand out:
- 1927 Yankees vs Pittsburgh Pirates: the Yankees dominated, a vintage AL powerhouse defeating the NL side;
- 1960 Pirates over Yankees: featuring Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off homer in Game 7 to win it for the NL side, one of the most dramatic endings ever;
- 1975 Red Sox vs Cincinnati Reds: often called one of the greatest World Series ever played;
- 2001 Diamondbacks vs Yankees: NL Phoenix stunned the AL’s Yankees in seven games;
- 2016 Cubs vs Cleveland Indians: though Cleveland is AL, the Cubs (NL) ended a 108-year drought with a dramatic extra-inning Game 7.
These matchups reinforce the tension: NL’s pitchers vs AL’s sluggers, each league claiming “our style is more baseball.”
2025 Outlook: who Represents the AL and NL?
National League favorites
The Los Angeles Dodgers are heavy favorites to win the NL pennant and the World Series again. Many betting markets and analysts rank them top in the NL
American League favorites
In the AL the New York Yankees are among the top favorites for the AL pennant and World Series contention. Other strong AL candidates include the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox.
Of course, the postseason is unpredictable. But heading into the fall, the rivalry between NL and AL will be renewed, possibly culminating in a World Series that pits the Dodgers (NL) against the Yankees or another AL contender. In sum, the rivalry between NL and AL remains more than a historical relic: it’s alive in style debates, postseason drama, and the very identity of MLB’s two halves.
