Paul Skenes, Tigers’ Rise & MLB’s Power Rankings: Full Breakdown from The Inside Pitch Ep. 11

In Episode 11 of The Inside Pitch podcast, Scott Seidenberg and former MLB pitcher Josh Towers dive deep into the current landscape of Major League Baseball, highlighting elite pitching performances, team rankings, betting odds, and postseason potential. The episode, recorded on June 9, 2025, serves as both an analytical review and a forecasting tool for the rest of the season.

 Paul Skenes: Dominance Beyond the Win-Loss Record

Paul Skenes is at the center of the NL Cy Young discussion despite his 4–6 record. With a 1.88 ERA—the second lowest in the National League—Skenes has showcased efficiency, pitch control, and maturity that set him apart. Josh Towers praises his ability to pitch deep into games while managing his pitch count and reducing walks. His advanced metrics support his candidacy: fewest hits and earned runs among top NL pitchers.

Skenes’ evolution from a strikeout machine to a strategic pitcher has made him more effective. Towers notes that Skenes “has learned how to pitch,” underscoring the value of pitching IQ over raw stats.

 Cy Young Races: NL and AL Leaders

The National League Cy Young race features Skenes as the favorite (–180), followed by Yamamoto (+450) and Wheeler (+900). Comparatively, in the AL, Tarik Skubal is putting up an elite season: 2.16 ERA, 105 strikeouts, and only 7 walks. Skubal leads MLB with a 1.84 FIP, indicating he’s dominating in areas he can control.

A head-to-head with Max Fried shows Skubal ahead in Ks and WHIP, while Fried has the edge in ERA. Scott and Josh weigh the differences, but Skubal’s FIP tips the balance in his favor.

 Tigers on Top: Best Team in Baseball?

With a 43–24 record and a +92 run differential, the Detroit Tigers lead the majors. Their success is credited to disciplined, mistake-free baseball. Despite lacking superstar names, their consistency and fundamentals have turned them into serious contenders.

Josh Towers emphasizes their no-fade trajectory: “They didn’t fade last year… there’s no reason to believe they will now.” With the fourth-easiest remaining schedule, the Tigers are well-positioned to maintain dominance.

 Dodgers Down: Injuries & Lineup Issues

In contrast, the Dodgers face mounting challenges. With 14 pitchers on the IL—including Snell, Gonsolin, and Glassnow—and inconsistent offense, the team struggles to meet expectations. The lack of timely hitting and bullpen mismanagement adds to the woes.

Ohtani has yet to pitch in 2025. He’s progressing through simulated games, but as Josh points out, the lack of true game feel makes full return uncertain. Despite the third-easiest schedule remaining, the Dodgers must overcome significant hurdles.

 Phillies Falter Without Bryce Harper

The Phillies are in free fall without Bryce Harper, going 1–9 in their last 10 games. Harper’s wrist injury has left him sidelined, and the team’s inability to adapt exposes deeper issues—selfish at-bats, poor adjustments, and lack of leadership. Meanwhile, the Mets have surged, overtaking the Phillies in the NL East by 4.5 games.

Mets’ Strength: Alonzo, Lindor, and Bullpen Brilliance

The Mets are now a model of balance and depth. Pete Alonso has rebounded to a .301 average in June, while Francisco Lindor’s homers have directly correlated to team wins. Their bullpen has thrived with converted relievers, and the team consistently executes in high-leverage situations.

Despite their NL-best record, manager Carlos Mendoza remains a long-shot (+1500) for NL Manager of the Year. Towers and Seidenberg argue that Mendoza is undervalued compared to Craig Counsell and Bob Melvin, given the Mets’ performance without relying on superstar names.

Betting Markets: Win Totals & Smart Plays

Several team win total bets stand out:

• Dodgers: Under 101.5 wins due to injuries and underperformance.

• Tigers: On pace to exceed 97 wins; value bet at +550 for most wins.

• Diamondbacks: Under 82.5 wins advised. Losing Corbin Burns and poor bullpen support positions them as trade deadline sellers.

• Twins: Under 85.5 wins; expected to fade late-season.

• Rangers: Over 79.5 wins backed by strong home play (20–13) and pitching.

Home Run Crown & Schwarber's June Surge

Cal Raleigh currently leads MLB in home runs but is expected to decline due to catcher fatigue. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are better positioned to finish on top. Kyle Schwarber, known for explosive Junes (62 career HR in the month), is also in the mix. Alonso remains a long shot at 65:1 but is heating up.

World Series Outlook: Short List of Contenders

The hosts narrow down the World Series contenders to five teams:

• Dodgers

• Yankees

• Mets

• Tigers

• Cubs

They dismiss others like the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Padres due to injuries, inconsistency, and roster limitations. Josh argues any team can go on a hot run, but Scott asserts it's a five-team race.

 Final Word

This episode is a comprehensive analysis of performance trends, injuries, and strategic bets, with insights drawn directly from stats and on-field dynamics. From the rise of young aces to the unraveling of top-heavy teams, The Inside Pitch Episode 11 delivers everything fans and bettors need to prepare for the MLB postseason push.