With MLB All-Star festivities complete, it’s time to direct our attention back to the rigors of the regular season. It’s common to refer to the post-All-Star stretch as the second half, but in truth, more than half of the regular season is already complete; MLB teams have played between 95 and 98 games, meaning there’s about 40% left until the postseason.
Still, we have 60-plus games left to determine who will be in the playoff field competing for the 2025 World Series.And with the trade deadline right around the corner, a lot’s going to change about these teams between now and October.
With all having mentioned that, let’s go around the league and take a look at where things stand as the “second half” begins.
1. Chicago Cubs (57-39)
With baseball’s best run differential at +119 and a solid series win in the Bronx entering the All-Star break, the Cubs claim the top spot in these rankings for the first time all season after spending much of the first half floating in the top 10. Chicago has a strong case as the best offense in MLB, and its bullpen has quietly become a legitimate strength after an awful collective showing in April. Adding an impact starting pitcher remains a priority ahead of the trade deadline – and staving off the Brewers isn’t going to be easy – but the Cubs are clear contenders and have earned the No. 1 spot at this juncture.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (58-39)
The Dodgers were in the top spot in five of the previous six editions of my power rankings, and they have more than enough talent to reclaim the throne in the near future. But we’re also far past the point of this team looking like a historic juggernaut of any kind – they aren’t on pace to win 100 games, let alone challenge the 2001 Mariners for the all-time wins record. Los Angeles deserves ample credit for maintaining a sturdy division lead throughout this inconsistent stretch, but there’s work to be done for the Dodgers to reestablish themselves as the undisputed best team in baseball.
3. Detroit tigers (59-38)
The Tigers endured an uncharacteristic stumble entering the break, getting swept at home for the first time all season as the Mariners overwhelmed them by a combined score of 25-14. Even so, the Tigers proved a lot over the first few months and are in tremendous position to not only cruise to a cozy division title (their first as 2014) but also make a real push for the No. 1 seed in the American League. Detroit’s enormous division lead might mean its front office feels comfortable not doing anything dramatic at the trade deadline, but I’d argue this is the exact time to bolster an already-strong roster and make a real run at a world Series.The American league might never be more wide open than it is now; the Tigers should be all-in for 2025.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (55-41)
Outside of a rickety bullpen that appears certain to be addressed ahead of the trade deadline, the Phillies have all the ingredients to make another deep run in October. The challenge now is to avoid the second-half slump that wholly sapped them of their contender-esque moxie last season,especially with a daunting challenger in
10. Boston Red Sox (53-45)
Well, well, well, look who we have here. The Red Sox have played their way into being talked about for reasons beyond their seemingly nonstop drama surrounding their roster construction. Boston caught fire in July and might’ve been one of the few teams that would’ve preferred not to pause playing for the All-Star break, as the Red Sox rode a 10-game heater into the break and will look to resume their winning streak this weekend at Wrigley Field. No matter what happens next for this Red Sox team, it’s guaranteed to be worth watching.
11. San Diego Padres (52-44)
The Padres are squarely in the playoff mix but once again have a roster with glaring holes, wich means we’re barreling toward another trade deadline featuring the age-old question: What wild swap will president of baseball operations AJ Preller cook up this time? The answer has become more and more challenging as the Padres have completely thinned out their farm system in previous win-now deals, but Preller always seems to find a way to make something happen. I expect this deadline to be no different.
12. Seattle Mariners (51-45)
Seattle’s final three series before the break surely gave its fan base a degree of whiplash: A dominant sweep of the Pirates in which the Mariners didn’t allow a run was followed by getting swept in embarrassing fashion in the Bronx and then finally an offensive explosion in Detroit that featured 25 runs scored in an emphatic sweep of the best team in baseball. A critical homestand against Houston and Milwaukee is on deck and should help clarify just how good this team is. Expect president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto to be active and aggressive at the trade deadline, especially with a loaded farm system to deal from.
13. San Francisco Giants (52-45)
the Giants have a championship-caliber bullpen and two stellar starting pitchers in Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, but the lineup – even with the addition of Rafael Devers – remains lackluster. How will new president of baseball operations Buster Posey handle his first trade deadline at the helm? He already made one big swing with the Devers acquisition, but standing pat beyond that is a risky proposition, considering how competitive the NL wild-card race projects to be.
14. Tampa Bay Rays (50-47)
Red-hot rivals Toronto and Boston have made Tampa bay’s path to the postseason a bit cloudier, but this team does a lot of things well and should not be disregarded in the AL playoff mix. It’s significant to remember that due to the Rays’ unusual stadium setup at Steinbrenner Field, the league frontloaded the schedule.
mid-Season MLB Check-In: Teams on the Bubble
As the MLB season passes the All-Star break, several teams find themselves in a precarious position – not quite out of contention, but facing significant hurdles to reach the playoffs. This analysis examines four such franchises, assessing their current standing and potential trajectories for the remainder of the year.
Kansas City Royals: Promising Signs, Persistent Challenges (47-50)
The Kansas City Royals have demonstrated encouraging offensive improvement in July, a welcome change after a sluggish first half. However, despite this uptick, the team still lacks the consistent hitting power needed to be considered a serious threat. Their strength lies in a capable pitching staff, which continues to keep them within striking distance in a crowded American League Wild Card race. The AL Wild Card picture is remarkably tight, meaning the Royals haven’t entirely relinquished their playoff hopes, but considerable offensive contributions will be crucial. Currently, FanGraphs gives the Royals a 12.5% chance of making the playoffs.
Cleveland Guardians: A Rollercoaster Ride and Trade Deadline Decisions (46-49)
The Cleveland Guardians experienced a dramatic shift in momentum leading into the All-Star break. A demoralizing 10-game losing streak threatened to signal a complete rebuild, but a subsequent 6-1 run, highlighted by a surprising series sweep of the Houston Astros, injected new life into their season. Despite this resurgence, the Guardians’ overall record and underlying statistical performance remain underwhelming. Consequently, they are widely expected to be active sellers at the trade deadline. A relatively favorable schedule in July – facing the Athletics, Orioles, Royals, and Rockies – presents an opportunity to further climb back into the Wild card conversation, but significant additions will likely be needed.
Los Angeles Angels: Pitching Concerns Cloud Playoff Aspirations (47-49)
The Los Angeles Angels’ first-half success was largely built on the remarkable durability of their starting rotation, utilizing only five pitchers for the entire period. However, the recent struggles of Jack Kochanowicz, now optioned to the minors, have exposed vulnerabilities. Addressing the pitching staff is paramount if the Angels hope to end their lengthy playoff drought – the longest in MLB. While the team boasts offensive firepower, especially with stars like mike trout and Shohei Ohtani (when healthy), consistent pitching is essential for postseason contention. According to baseball Prospectus, the Angels have a 28.7% chance of reaching the postseason, contingent on bolstering their pitching depth.
Baltimore Orioles & Atlanta Braves: Navigating the Trade Market (Orioles 43-52, Braves 42-53)
Both the Baltimore orioles and Atlanta braves currently find themselves below .500 and facing tough decisions regarding the trade deadline. The Orioles, despite showing improvement with veterans like Charlie Morton and Trevor Rogers finding their form, are likely to be sellers. Several players with expiring contracts, including morton, Zach Eflin, Cedric Mullins, Gregory Soto, and Ryan O’Hearn, are potential trade candidates. Even Félix Bautista, under contract through 2027, could be available if a compelling offer arises.The Atlanta Braves,while reminiscent of the 2021 team that ultimately won the World Series,face a steeper climb. While that 2021 team was 44-45 at the break,the current braves squad is further behind in the standings. While a dramatic turnaround isn’t impossible, the Braves may explore trading assets to rebuild for future success, rather than relying on a similar second-half surge. Both teams will be closely watched as the July 31st deadline approaches, with their actions potentially reshaping the landscape of the MLB playoff race.