Teams return from the All-Star break with the prospect for a symbolic fresh start. Though the season is more than half over, the resumption of games represents a chance to forget about first-half troubles and focus on finishing strong.
With that in mind, every team — no matter its record — has goals for the rest of the season. With help from MLB.com’s 30 beat writers, hear’s one goal for each team in the second half.
Blue Jays: Get Vladdy going
The Blue Jays entered the break on a 13-4 tear with Vladimir Guerrero jr. playing … fine. We haven’t seen anything close to Guerrero’s peak, though, making it even more surprising that the Blue Jays have managed to surge out in front of the AL East. Guerrero is the face of the franchise and the one player capable of taking over not only a game, but a series. We saw down the stretch in 2024 that he’s still capable of those unbelievable runs with a 1.000-plus OPS, which is exactly what the Blue Jays need if they’re going to keep this great story going. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: Build momentum toward 2026
The first half of the season didn’t go anywhere close to planned for the O’s. They often struggled to build positive momentum, as it felt like every time they took a step forward, it was immediately followed by at least one step back. Baltimore is committed to getting back to contention in 2026, so it woudl be helpful if the club could play more to its potential throughout the second half. For that to happen, the core players must get hot.– Jake Rill
Rays: Get back to the postseason
For about seven weeks,it looked like the rays might be bound for a second-straight mediocre season. Then, for the next five weeks, they played like the best team in baseball.they struggled through a 10-day road trip to finish the first half, erasing much of the progress they made in late May and June. With a large group of AL Wild Card hopefuls, they can’t afford many more stretches like that. They need to get back to playing thier brand of baseball if they want to return to the playoffs after sitting out October last year. – Adam Berry
Red Sox: Start strong coming out of the break
Last year’s squad opened the second half with a disastrous road trip in Los Angeles and Colorado, losing five out of six. The Red Sox lacked the same swagger from that point forward and never played like a viable contender again for the rest of the season. Playing threeTwins: Get the lineup core going
Royce Lewis is getting hits but is not hitting for power, and Matt Wallner is the opposite — hitting homers but batting .205. If the lineup core gets going, the team will as well. — Matthew Leach
White Sox: Betterment, progress
Wins and losses still aren’t the ultimate goal at this stage of the rebuild, although manager Will Venable and his staff remain focused on trying to win every day. young players such as infielders Colson Montgomery and Chase MeiiThoth, catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar I want, and pitchers Shane Smith and Grant Taylor, to name a few, already have faced on-field ups and downs throughout their first big league exposure. But this experience will prove valuable and add to their confidence and knowledge in 2026 and beyond as they figure out everyday life with the White Sox. – Scott sign
angels: stay in contention
The goal is for the Angels to stay in the AL Wild card hunt, as they weren’t expected to compete this year and getting that kind of experience would be beneficial for the club’s young core. Of course, making the postseason is the ultimate goal but even hanging around the AL Wild Card race would be a big improvement after losing 99 games last year. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: Secure a top seed in the AL
The Astros hit the All-Star break with the second-best record in the AL. They’re 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers and only one game ahead of the blue Jays. The top two seeds in the AL will receive a bye into the AL Division Series, so staying in the No. 2 spot is crucial. The Astros, though, are eyeing the top spot in the AL by running down the tigers, with a huge three-game series in Detroit looming in August. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: Continue the development processBraves: Get a feel for 2026
If the Braves trade Marcell Ozuna before the July 31 Trade deadline, they can use the final two months getting a feel for alternating Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin between the catcher and designated hitter roles. Likewise, they can spend more time debating whether it makes sense to exercise Ozzie Albies’ $7 million option, which includes a $4 million buyout. Reynaldo López, who could be used as a starter or reliever, and Joe Jimenez could be declared ready to pitch again by the end of the year. This would provide a chance to get a better feel for offseason needs in both the rotation and bullpen.
Marlins: See signs for the future
More than Miami’s final record, what’s most important in 2025 is for players to emerge as impactful pieces to build around. Catcher/designated hitter Agustín Ramírez and All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers did so in the first half, but the Marlins would like to see even more guys step up. As the team is so young, most of the players will experience the grind of their first full MLB season.
The Mets led the NL East for notable stretches of the first half but haven’t been as consistent overall as the Phillies. If the Mets can win the division and avoid the Wild Card series, they’ll put themselves in better position for a deep October run.Achieving this goal will require wise Trade Deadline investment and improved play but this group is unquestionably talented enough to do it.
Nationals: Establish consistent offense
The Nationals put together an offensive hot streak at the end of May. Then they stumbled on an 11-game losing streak in June. The Nats will look for consistent offense in the second half — both for the development of the young offense and to provide their pitching with run support. They entered Sunday 30-15 when scoring first,but only 5-47 when trailing after the sixth inning.
NL Central & Beyond: Mid-Season Assessments and Playoff Aspirations
The midway point of the season offers a crucial opportunity for teams to evaluate progress and recalibrate their strategies. For some,the initial objectives remain firmly in sight. For others, the focus has shifted towards building momentum for future success. Here’s a look at how several National League teams are positioned as they navigate the remainder of the year.
Cubs: Maintaining the Momentum
From the outset,the Chicago Cubs have operated with a clear,ambitious target: secure the division title.While previous campaigns in 2023 and 2024 saw them fall short, finishing with respectable 83-win seasons but ultimately missing the playoffs, the 2025 roster was intentionally constructed for a deeper postseason run. Currently, the Cubs boast a 57-win record, leading the National League Central – a testament to their strategic offseason moves and strong in-game performance.Their success hinges on continuing this trajectory, solidifying their position as a legitimate contender. A key factor will be maintaining offensive production from players like Cody Bellinger and ensuring consistent contributions from their starting rotation.
Pirates: A Second-Half Surge Needed
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ season hasn’t unfolded as anticipated, but a competitive finish is still within reach. The team needs a significant upturn in performance during the second half of the season to restore confidence in their current trajectory. A strong showing would not only boost morale but also reinforce the belief that strategic additions to the Major League roster are sufficient, rather than requiring a complete overhaul.Currently sitting at a.500 record, the Pirates need to demonstrate resilience and capitalize on opportunities within a competitive division.
Reds: October Baseball is the Expectation
For the Cincinnati Reds, the goal is singular and uncompromising: reach the postseason. The hiring of veteran manager Terry Francona was a deliberate move, signaling a commitment to contending for a championship. Francona,lured out of retirement,expects nothing less than a playoff berth. While offensive consistency remains a work in progress,the Reds possess a potentially formidable starting rotation,anchored by All-Star Andrew Abbott and the consistently improving Nick Lodolo. Their ability to consistently support their pitching staff with timely hitting will be paramount to achieving their postseason ambitions.
Diamondbacks: Consistency is Key
The Arizona diamondbacks find themselves in a precarious position, needing to establish a consistent winning formula – and quickly. After a promising start, the team has struggled to maintain momentum, falling into a pattern of alternating wins and losses.The challenge lies in identifying and addressing the underlying causes of this inconsistency,whether it be offensive slumps,pitching instability,or defensive lapses. A sustained period of success is crucial not only for playoff contention but also for building confidence within the clubhouse and reassuring fans.