Wed Sep 03 10:50:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the ESPN experts’ bold predictions for September in MLB, focusing on the Dodgers and Yankees:

**Headline: Experts Predict September Surge for Yankees, Dodgers Face NL West Battle**

**NEW YORK, NY** – As Major League Baseball enters its final month of the regular season, ESPN’s baseball experts are making bold predictions about which teams will surge and which will falter. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees are at the center of much of the speculation.

While many experts agree the Dodgers are a strong team, they are divided on whether they will overtake the Phillies to secure the No. 2 seed in the NL. Alden Gonzalez believes that the Dodgers are poised to showcase their full potential as their injured players return.

Buster Olney suggests that the Padres will win the NL West as they are all in, while the Dodgers will pace themselves for October. He notes the Padres’ strengthened bullpen and “Game 7” mentality as key factors, contrasting them with the Dodgers’ focus on long-term health and playoff readiness. However, the majority of voters believe the Dodgers will win the division.

The New York Yankees are also a team to watch, with some experts predicting a late-season surge. Tristan Cockcroft predicts the Yankees will overtake the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East title and secure a first-round bye. However, other experts are not so sure. Buster Olney believes the Yankees will have the second-best record in the AL, but the Blue Jays will win the division, leaving New York as the No. 4 seed and facing the Red Sox in the wild card round. Schoenfield believes the Red Sox will win the AL East.

The September stretch promises exciting baseball as teams battle for playoff positioning. Whether the Yankees and Dodgers fulfill these bold predictions remains to be seen, but fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the regular season.

**Other Predictions:**

* Tim Kurkjian predicts Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh will hit 60 home runs.
* Matt Marrone believes all eyes will be on the Mariners as Raleigh sets a new AL home run record.
* Karabell predicts Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter will be called up.
* Castillo predicts the Mets will overtake the Phillies and win the NL East.

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