A Bold Prediction for Each MLB Team's 2nd Half After All-Star Break
With the All-Star break and MLB draft now in the rearview, the second half of the MLB season has arrived, and the annual flurry of activity that is the trade deadline is fast approaching.
The coming weeks are when the line is drawn between buyers and sellers, between contenders and non-contenders. Then we gear up for pennant races, award chases and a potential reshaping of future plans with strong individual performances down the stretch.
Ahead we've made one bold prediction for each of the 30 MLB teams during the second half, covering everything from team-specific results to individual records and milestones and everything in between.
Enjoy!
AL East
1 of 6
Baltimore Orioles: Trevor Rogers repeats as AL Pitcher of the Month in August
It's been an up-and-down season for Trevor Rogers on the heels of his breakthrough 2025 campaign, but he has logged a 1.73 ERA in 41.2 innings over his last seven starts, potentially setting the table for a big second half.
He won AL Pitcher of the Month honors last August, going 4-1 with a 1.29 ERA in six starts, and he could be pitching his way toward another dominant month of August on the cusp of free agency this winter.
Boston Red Sox: Patrick Sandoval earns another multi-year deal with a strong second half
The Red Sox signed Patrick Sandoval to a two-year, $18.25 million deal prior to the 2025 season, knowing he would spend the entire first year of that deal recovering from an internal brace procedure. His recovery stretched into 2026, but he finally made his Red Sox debut on July 9 with 4.1 innings of five-hit, one-run ball.
Still only 29 years old and with a track record of impact production prior to the injury, he could set himself up for a nice multi-year payday with a strong second half.
New York Yankees: Jasson Domínguez is traded at the deadline
There were few prospects in baseball more untouchable than Jasson Domínguez while he was rising the ranks in the Yankees farm system, but 185 games into his big league career he has a 98 OPS+ and 1.1 WAR on his resume.
The 23-year-old has been playing right field with Aaron Judge injured, but once he returns, his playing time could dip. He is batting just .235/.273/.409 with an 89 OPS+ and 0.4 WAR on the year, but his raw tools still make him an appealing buy-low target for a seller at the deadline if the Yankees go after a controllable arm.
Tampa Bay Rays: Junior Caminero wins AL MVP
After a 45-homer, 110-RBI performance last season landed him ninth in AL MVP balloting, Junior Caminero has been one of the game's most prolific sluggers once again this season, and now he's doing it for a first-place Tampa Bay squad.
His 154 OPS+ and 28 home runs this year are what jump off the page, but he has also more than doubled his walk rate from 6.3 to 12.9 percent, becoming a more complete hitter in the process. If he has a 40-homer, 100-RBI, 5-WAR season and the Rays win the AL East, he could take home AL MVP honors.
Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads MLB in second-half home runs
One of the biggest surprises in baseball during the first half was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting just six home runs, despite three 30-homer seasons on his resume and a reputation as a batted-ball juggernaut.
The 27-year-old has proven he can catch fire at the plate, and two of his six long balls came in the final four games of the first half. With Aaron Judge sidelined and Shohei Ohtani also banged up, Vlad Jr. has a realistic path to leading the majors in second-half homers if he can catch a heater.
AL Central
2 of 6
Chicago White Sox: White Sox lead the majors in home runs
The White Sox finished 23rd in the majors with 165 home runs last season, and Lenyn Sosa was the team leader with 22 long balls.
This year they entered the All-Star break fourth in the league with 129 homers, behind only the Yankees (142), Nationals (138) and Astros (132). With Munetaka Murakami back healthy and Kyle Teel also rejoining the lineup, the South Siders should continue to pile up impressive power numbers, while the Yankees are still without Aaron Judge and the Nationals and Astros both have second-half fade potential.
Cleveland Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez is MLB's loudest September call-up
Last season, Carter Jensen (69 PA, 162 OPS+, 3 HR, 13 RBI) and Sal Stewart (58 PA, 123 OPS+, 5 HR, 8 RBI) paved the way to everyday roles in 2026 by making an immediate offensive impact as September call-ups.
Looking ahead to this year's crop of potential late-season promotions, Ralphy Velazquez could make a similar splash. The 21-year-old has a 50-hit, 60-power offensive profile, and after hitting .317/.414/.566 with 19 extra-base hits in 36 games at Double-A, he made his Triple-A debut on May 20, opening the door for a late-season debut.
Detroit Tigers: Tarik Skubal stays put at the deadline
There will not be a more talked about player leading up to this year's trade deadline than two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, and with free agency looming this offseason, the Tigers have a huge decision to make.
Despite a disappointing first half, they still sit just 6.5 games back in the AL Central standings and 3.5 back for a wild-card spot. They play 13 games in 13 days coming out of the break, including series with the Angels, Royals and Orioles. If they go 8-5 or 9-4 over that stretch, it could be enough to convince them to ride it out and push for a playoff berth.
Kansas City Royals: Jac Caglianone becomes a bona fide star
After annihilating minor league pitching last season, Jac Caglianone dealt with some growing pains during his first taste of the big leagues. Now he finally seems to be settling in, and stardom could be right around the corner.
The 23-year-old logged a 120 OPS+ with 15 home runs during the first half, and that included a huge June where he batted .309/.387/.649 with nine homers and 19 RBI. All the pieces are falling into place for him to emerge as a complementary star to Bobby Witt Jr.
Minnesota Twins: Buy at the trade deadline, win AL Central
Much of the trade deadline talk surrounding the Twins has been about whether Byron Buxton might be willing to waive his no-trade clause or which catcher-needy contender would end up with free-agent-to-be Ryan Jeffers.
However, after going 10-5 in their last 15 games, they are suddenly just three back in a wide-open AL Central and tied for the third AL wild-card spot. After opting against a full-scale rebuild during the offseason, it would not be surprising for the front office to once again put faith in a roster that might be a piece or two away from a division title push.
AL West
3 of 6
Athletics: Shea Langeliers sets A's record for home runs by a catcher
In 2024, Shea Langeliers hit 29 home runs during a breakout offensive season, tying him for the second-most long balls by an Athletics catcher in franchise history. Last year, he took sole possession of second on that list with a 31-homer campaign.
However, he is still chasing the 35-homer performance of Terry Steinbach in 1996. With 21 home runs at the break this year en route to earning the starting nod for the AL in the All-Star Game, he is knocking on the door once again.
Houston Astros: Christian Walker moves at the trade deadline
Despite a 27-homer, 88-RBI season, Christian Walker had a rough first season with the Astros in 2025, batting .238/.297/.421 for a 98 OPS+ while logging just 0.3 WAR in 154 games.
The final two seasons of his three-year, $60 million deal were shaping up to be a financial drain, but instead he has logged a 115 OPS+ with 20 home runs to rebuild his stock. In a thin market for impact bats, the Astros now have a chance to move a contract that looked like a sunk cost.
Los Angeles Angels: Reid Detmers and José Soriano are both traded
There is no reason to believe this will be the year Mike Trout requests a trade or indicates he is willing to waive his no-trade clause, but that doesn't mean the Angels won't start moving in a different direction anyway.
Reid Detmers (19 GS, 4.39 ERA, 123 K, 108.2 IP) and José Soriano (20 GS, 3.49 ERA, 115 K, 111.0 IP) are both controllable through 2028 and figure to be frequently discussed on the trade market. If the Angels flipped them both, it could jump start a long-overdue rebuild.
Seattle Mariners: Lazaro Montes makes a major September impact
The No. 26 prospect in B/R's latest Top 100 update, Lazaro Montes is an imposing 6'5", 210-pound slugger who has put up big power numbers throughout his time in the minors, including a 32-homer season in 2025.
A .919 OPS and 25 home runs in 79 games at Double-A to open the year earned him a promotion to Triple-A, and now the 21-year-old is on the doorstep of the big leagues. For a Mariners team in need of an offensive spark, he could provide a major boost down the stretch, even if there are some strikeout concerns.
Texas Rangers: Jacob deGrom logs his first 200-strikeout season since 2019
The question last year was what sort of impact Jacob deGrom could realistically make after three consecutive injury-plagued seasons, and he answered that with an All-Star selection and top-10 finish in AL Cy Young voting.
This year, he entered the All-Star break with a 3.49 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 100.2 innings. If he can be treated like a true workhorse ace in the second half, his first 200-strikeout season since winning his second Cy Young in 2019 is within reach.
NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach starts a playoff game
It's not unheard of for a team to turn to a pitcher who only recently returned from a prolonged stint on the injured list to start a playoff game. In fact, the Guardians did it twice with Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb in 2024.
Spencer Schwellenbach is currently on track for a late August or early September return from arthroscopic elbow surgery. He was arguably the best pitcher on the staff outside of Chris Sale last season, and that might still be true if he can return and get a few starts under his belt before October.
Miami Marlins: Heriberto Hernández is one of baseball's biggest breakout hitters
Over 154 games in the big leagues over the last two seasons, Heriberto Hernández has hit .253/.333/.458 for a 121 OPS+ with 21 doubles, 23 home runs and 81 RBI.
He has settled in as Miami's primary left fielder in July, and with regular playing time and his terrific batted-ball metrics, things could be aligning nicely for a true breakout performance during the second half.
New York Mets: Nolan McLean wins NL Rookie of the Year
Unlike the American League where Kevin McGonigle, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, Parker Messick, Payton Tolle and Tristan Peters all have a case to show up on AL Rookie of the Year ballots, the NL side of things is more wide open.
In 19 starts, Nolan McLean has a 3.52 ERA and a rookie-leading 125 strikeouts in 107.1 innings, and he has five quality starts in his last seven outings. JJ Wetherholt and Sal Stewart are his biggest competition right now, but McLean could be the Mets first ROY winner since Pete Alonso in 2019.
Philadelphia Phillies: Gage Wood is on the playoff roster
Last year, Trey Yesavage showed there are significant benefits to being largely an unknown, as he was a playoff hero for the Blue Jays after making just three regular season starts.
Gage Wood could be Yesavage 2.0 this year, and the Phillies have a history of unveiling a recent call-up in October, with Orion Kerkering earning a playoff roster spot after just three appearances. Wood, 22, has a 3.44 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 55 innings, and he has reached Double-A in his first full professional season.
Washington Nationals: Finish above .500 for the first time since 2019
The Nationals were 48-49 at the All-Star break, so a winning record might not seem like the boldest prediction, but for a club with a cobbled-together rotation and a bullpen that has 27 blown saves in 54 chances, it would be a major accomplishment.
It's also worth mentioning that this was a 96-loss team just a year ago, so the fact that this is even a conversation makes them one of the biggest surprises of the year. If the offense, led by James Wood and CJ Abrams, continues to put crooked numbers up with regularity, win No. 82 is possible.
NL Central
5 of 6
Chicago Cubs: Owen Ayers turns Moisés Ballesteros into a trade chip
The Cubs desire for more starting pitching might be the worst-kept secret of this year's trade deadline, and they showed a willingness to part with quality prospect talent during the offseason when they sent Owen Caissie to the Marlins.
Moisés Ballesteros got off a strong start this year before slumping badly and being demoted to Triple-A, and he has yet to get back on track in the minors. Meanwhile, fellow bat-first catcher Owen Ayers is hitting .315/.427/.634 with 22 home runs in 76 games, and he was just promoted to Triple-A. Could Ayers' breakout make Ballesteros a trade chip?
Cincinnati Reds: Chase Burns throws a no-hitter
Trying to predict a no-hitter is a fool's errand, but when all of his pitches are dialed in, few pitchers are more unhittable than Chase Burns.
With a fastball that bumps triple-digits and a filthy slider that is generating a 51.2 percent whiff rate and has accounted for 80 strikeouts, Burns is electric, and it's worth mentioning that he has allowed three or fewer hits in six of his 18 starts this year.
Milwaukee Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski sets team strikeout record
Only four times in franchise history has a Brewers pitcher topped 220 strikeouts in a year, and the single-season record belongs to Ben Sheets, who piled up 264 punchouts in 2004.
With a 1.62 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in 111 innings, Jacob Misiorowski has been the best pitcher in baseball this season. He leads the majors in strikeouts and could conceivably make 12 or 13 more starts. With 9.2 strikeouts per start on the year, he will cruise past the record with similar production and good health.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Brandon Lowe signs an extension in September
The Pirates overhauled their offense during the offseason, and trading for slugger Brandon Lowe was one of their marquee moves. With a 117 OPS+ and 21 home runs at the break, he has been their most potent bat, and free agency awaits him this offseason.
It might seem silly for a player on track for a 5-WAR season to not test the open market, but bat-first second basemen have historically not had great luck securing significant paydays. Something in the neighborhood of a three-year, $60 million deal might be a good landing spot for both team and player.
St. Louis Cardinals: Jordan Walker finishes top-five in NL MVP voting
There might be no bigger breakout player in 2026 than Jordan Walker, who logged a 66 OPS+ a year ago and looked like he might be entering make-or-break territory.
Now he's hitting .294/.354/.532 with 22 home runs and 74 RBI in 93 games, and fresh off a dramatic Home Run Derby victory. Avoiding a second-half letdown is the next step in his rise to stardom, and a top-five finish in MVP voting would be a sign he has truly arrived.
NL West
6 of 6
Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandyn Garcia ends 2026 as one of baseball's best relievers
With a 1.90 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 in 28 appearances, Brandyn Garcia is having one of the best seasons no one is talking about, at least among relief pitchers.
The Paul Sewald renaissance has kept him from seeing much in the way of late-inning work, but he has the stuff to be a major factor in high-leverage spots. He throws an upper 90s sinker and backs it with a sweeper that is generating an absurd 52.5 percent whiff rate. If the D-backs decide to move Sewald at the deadline, he could get a chance to further prove himself.
Colorado Rockies: Cole Carrigg emerges as long-term building block
Cole Carrigg offers a unique toolbox as an up-and-coming prospect with good wheels, the defensive versatility to play both shortstop and center field and enough pop to make a real impact at the plate.
The 24-year-old made his MLB debut on June 9, and he is hitting .273/.356/.515 for a 125 OPS+ with 13 extra-base hits over 119 plate appearances. The Rockies are not exactly swimming in long-term pieces, but he has a chance to be a "guy" for them going forward.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani finishes top-five in NL Cy Young voting
It's almost a foregone conclusion that Shohei Ohtani will be taking home NL MVP honors for the foreseeable future, as long as he stays healthy, thanks to his unique two-way contributions. However, he is pitching like a legitimate Cy Young candidate right now.
With a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85.2 innings, he has been lights out, albeit with a slightly lighter workload than some of the leading contenders for the hardware. He might not overtake Jacob Misiorowski for the hardware, but a top-five finish in Cy Young voting would make it an all-time great individual season.
San Diego Padres: Mason Miller joins the exclusive 50-for-50 club
Multiple pitchers have converted 50 consecutive saves, but only one pitcher has recorded at least 50 saves over the course of a single season with zero blown saves along the way.
Eric Gagné was a perfect 55-for-55 on save chances in 2003, and it won him NL Cy Young honors. Flame-thrower Mason Miller is 25-for-25 so far this year, and with a minuscule 0.91 ERA and a 48.3 percent strikeout rate, the biggest hurdle in joining Gagné might be the Padres providing enough opportunities.
San Francisco Giants: Find a trade partner for Matt Chapman
With a full no-trade clause and a $25.2 million annual salary on the books through the 2030 season, Matt Chapman is not the easiest player to move on the trade market, and the same can be said of Rafael Devers and Willy Adames.
If the Giants decide to try to dump a big salary, he might be the easiest to deal thanks to the secondary value he provides with his glove. Case in point, he has a 98 OPS+ and seven home runs on the year, but has still provided 2.8 WAR. In a thin market for bats, he could generate more interest than one might think at first glance.
_0.png?w=3840 "Summer League Takeaways ✍️")
.jpg?w=3840 "Watch: Jerry Rice Chases After Heckler")
.png?w=3840 "Offseason Moves Sure To Backfire 💥")