Bold predictions for the 2025 Padres season

It's about that time. We are now into the final days of spring training, meaning that the 2025 regular season is right around the corner.

Looking to roll off of their 93 wins a season ago, the San Diego Padres open the year with a four-game set at home against the Atlanta Braves. Ahead of the action, check out a few bold predictions for the 2025 campaign.

Bold predictions for the 2025 Padres season

Fernando Tatis Jr. will hit a home run off Chris Sale on Opening Day

For the sake of getting the juices flowing, we need at least one short-term prediction to kick off the season. Nothing will get Friars fans more excited than a home run from the face of the franchise against the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.

Tatis Jr. has faced Sale six times in his career, going 1-for-6 with, you guessed it, a home run. Tatis Jr. has already taken an All-Star deep this spring, showing that he's locked and loaded for a big-time season.

Jackson Merrill will finish Top 5 in NL MVP

Jackson Merrill was as good of a rookie as anyone could ask for. A Silver Slugger and All-Star in 2024, Merrill placed ninth in the National League MVP race at 21 years old. He muscled 31 doubles, 24 home runs, and six triples as a rookie, handing in a 4.4 bWAR.

There is really no ceiling on Merrill and what he is capable of on both sides of the ball. This spring, he's registered four home runs to gear up for what should be an incredible sophomore season.

His biggest competition will probably be against Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Ronald Acuña Jr., and his own teammate, Fernando Tatis Jr. He could have what it takes to be in the same breath as these titans, which should make for a fun season for fans to monitor.

Jason Adam will be the team's closer by the All-Star break

Jason Adam is objectively one of the most underrated pitchers in the game. He's posted three dominant seasons in a row, and yet, people have still overlooked him. If he can maintain his consistency, the Padres coaching staff may have no choice but trust him over Robert Suarez, who has struggled mightily at spring training.

Padres will win 90 games, but finish third in the NL West

The NL West is no easy division. Year in and year out, this division produces multiple playoff teams, which should continue in 2025.

The reigning World Series champions in the Los Angeles Dodgers will probably win the division again, which leaves the Padres stacked up against the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks as likely competitors. These teams, especially Arizona, can get hot and ultimately win 90-95 games.

San Diego should eye for 90 wins, which should get them into the postseason. However, that might not even be enough for second place in the NL West.

Gavin Sheets will break his single-season home run record

After signing with the Padres on a minor league deal this winter, Sheets' contract was ultimately selected. It was pretty obvious that San Diego would so, considering his red-hot streak at the plate this spring.

Coming into this year, Sheets has never eclipsed 15 home runs in a season. The 2025 campaign will be his fifth year in the big leagues, and first with the Padres. Down in spring training, he has mashed six home runs in 53 at-bats, hitting .302. He's clearly excited to be with a new club, and hopefully that transitions into regular season success.

Nick Pivetta racks up 200 strikeouts

Pivetta has knocked on the door of 200 strikeouts several times in his career. He has amassed 170 strikeouts or more five times, with a career-high of 188. Last year, in just 26 starts, Pivetta managed to rack up 172 K's.

With other guys like Yu Darvish and Matt Waldron injured, San Diego is going to have to rely on Pivetta to eat up some innings. If he stays healthy and can reach 170-180 innings, then 200 strikeouts should come pretty easily for him.