With the 2025 MLB regular season heading into its final stretch, the playoff races are getting tighter. Some surprising storylines are shaping the league’s home stretch.
From an unlikely base-stealing threat in Seattle to a veteran ace’s turnaround in San Diego, the final weeks look set for plenty of drama. A young slugger’s evolution in Oakland is also turning heads as October baseball looms.
Josh Naylor’s Sneaky Speed is Powering the Mariners’ Run
Seattle’s acquisition of Josh Naylor raised eyebrows mainly for his bat. His legs, though, are suddenly just as intriguing.
Naylor ranks in the bottom 3% of MLB sprint speed, yet he’s swiped 22 bases in 24 tries this season. That’s almost unthinkable given his previous track record.
Capitalizing on Opportunity, Not Just Raw Speed
Naylor had only 25 career steals over his previous six seasons. In just 15 games with the Mariners, he’s racked up 11 steals.
He’s not relying on pure athleticism. Instead, he’s using smart baserunning, quick reads, and taking advantage of inattentive pitchers.
He even stole a base right after missing a game with a sore shoulder. That’s both confidence and a little gamesmanship, honestly.
Catcher Cal Raleigh has 13 steals in 16 tries. Together, they form an unexpected speed duo for a team usually known for pitching and defense.
Their base-stealing edge could prove decisive in tight September games.
Yu Darvish’s Mechanical Adjustment Fuels Padres Surge
In the National League West, the San Diego Padres have found new life. Much of it starts with the resurgence of Yu Darvish.
The 37-year-old right-hander’s 2025 debut was delayed by elbow inflammation. His early outings were rough — he allowed 17 earned runs in just 16⅔ innings over his first four starts.
Lower Arm Slot, Higher Results
Darvish made a big tweak, dropping his arm slot by about 10 degrees. That’s restored his deception and sharpened his breaking ball.
He’s given up just four runs in his last 17 innings. With Michael King back and Nestor Cortes joining the rotation, San Diego suddenly looks like one of baseball’s hottest clubs.
The Padres have gone 12–3 in their last 15 games, pulling within a single game of the division-leading Dodgers. Darvish is pitching like an ace again, and San Diego is right in the thick of the NL West race.
Shea Langeliers Steps Into Star Territory in Oakland
The Athletics are still in a rebuild, but they might have found their cornerstone hitter in Shea Langeliers. After a 29-homer campaign in 2024, the catcher has kept his power and improved his contact skills.
A Sharper Approach at the Plate
Langeliers cut his strikeout rate from 27.2% to 18.2%, now well below league average. That discipline hasn’t cost him his pop — he’s already hit 24 home runs, despite missing much of June with an oblique strain.
He’s focused on approach-based hitting, and it’s paid off. Suddenly, he’s in the mix as one of MLB’s most productive offensive catchers.
He’s joined by a wave of Athletics talent, including:
- Brent Rooker – steady middle-of-the-order presence
- Nick Kurtz – emerging power bat
- Jacob Wilson – versatile infielder with high contact rates
- Lawrence Butler – dynamic outfield athlete
- Tyler Soderstrom – promising young catcher/first baseman
This young core gives Oakland real hope for an offensive resurgence. The big question: can the A’s build a pitching staff to match?
Final Thoughts as the Season Winds Down
There are fewer than seven weeks left. That margin for error? It’s just about gone.
The Mariners have leaned into savvy baserunning. Over in San Diego, the Padres suddenly look alive with their rotation.
Oakland’s offense feels younger and bolder than it has in years. It’s wild—teams keep finding new ways to win, even this late.
As October creeps closer, these trends might not just stick around. They could end up shaping who actually makes it to the playoffs.
Will Naylor’s speed keep surprising people? Can Darvish keep that mechanical magic going? Is Langeliers’ bat for real?
The last stretch of the 2025 MLB season is going to be weird, tense, and honestly, probably a lot of fun to watch.
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Here is the source article for this story: MLB trends: Josh Naylor runs wild, Yu Darvish switches it up and another Athletics player breaks out
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