MLB Storylines Halfway Through the Season || Full Resource from Part 1 - Part 6

Edition #119

INTRO:

18 minutes of content, written across 18 days. Pretty amazing (at least to me.)

WIth the first series of the second half ending today, here’s the whole MLB Storylines Halfway Through the Season series, put into one big post.

AL East, Central, and West are all done by Smayan

NL East and Central done by Icee

NL West was done by Smayan.

Happy reading!!!

Orioles

Keep doing what you’re doing.

To the time I’m writing this article, the Orioles have the best record in the American League. As long as Gunnar Henderson keeps mashing and the rotation keeps doing what it’s doing, they’re going to get the #1 seed in the AL.

ONE THING TO NOTE: They have had a bit of trouble with teams in the west, going 11-9.

Yankees:

This team has the same number of wins as the Orioles, which is great, but while it may look like they aren’t, they’re kind of struggling. They’re 12-14 versus opponents in the east which is incredibly bad as it may come down to that during tiebreakers.

Luis Gil isn’t looking like himself lately, but now they got Gerrit Cole back and he’s still producing at an elite level. Luis will get back to what he was doing after he figures a few things out, then this Yankees team will get even better. Aaron Judge is absolutely balling. He already has 31 HRs! He may actually beat his own record of most HRs in a single season. That’s the kind of pace he’s on right now!

Than you have Juan Soto. While he is coming off of an injury, you know that whenever he’s active, he’ll do everything for you. He wants to win.

ONE THING TO NOTE: The Yankees haven’t done very well against lefties this season, going 10-12.

Red Sox:

I’m incredibly surprised that this team is currently third place in the division. Like, how does this team have a better record than the Tampa Bay Rays even though they have so many holes.

Let me tell you all about those holes. They have a losing record in night games. They have a losing record against lefties. They have a losing record against the AL Central and barely have a winning record versus the east (11-10).

But, this team can become excellent, can clinch a wild card spot if they make a few great trades. Of course they want to compete, but will they?

ONE THING TO NOTE: The Red Sox are 7-0 on turf…

Rays:

Everything has been going wrong for the Rays this year, and maybe the all-star break could help them? But, definitely, don’t expect playoffs this season. Randy Arozarena is batting a .196 this season and they just aren’t getting much production from the pitching staff this season.

There’s just nothing else to talk about this season. The Tampa Bay Rays have a good GM. He knows what he needs to do to put this team back on top. For all you Rays fans, just wait it out.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team has a losing record… against… righties.

Blue Jays:

Expect a firesale at the deadlines.

Either Vladdy is going or Bo Bichette is going. This team is done competing. IT IS OVER.

There’s nothing optimistic to look towards to for all Blue Jays fans. They suck in one inning games, day games, night games, grass, turf, east opponents, central opponents, versus right-handed opponents, and versus left-handed opponents. It. Just. Sucks.

Bichette is going LA. Vladdy is going to Houston. It’s predictable. It’s simple. The Blue Jays are over.

ONE THING TO NOTE: On a good note, the Blue Jays are 3-1 in extra inning games.

Cleveland Guardians

Did you expect, at the start of this season, that the Guardians would own the best record in the MLB even for a day? If you did, you're something else. At the time I’m writing this article, the Guardians have the best record in the American League. Wow.

And guess what? They're doing it without their ace, Shane Bieber.

At home, they're one of the best teams. Away is a different story, as they’re 27-22. Other than that, their turf, grass, and day/night game win/loss percentages are pretty average.

This team ain't very good on paper either. They don't have a better roster than the Dodgers! All Cleveland has is Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan, and Andrés Giménez.

All I’m saying is, keep up the work and yeah.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team dominates the west, but doesn’t play well against the central.

Minnesota Twins

This is a very good team with a lot of superstars. Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and in a stronger Central division this year, you can’t criticize the Twins for falling to 2nd in the division.

This team struggles against opponents in the East, they’re not very good against teams over .500, and the list goes on and on. You might ask, how is this team still in 2nd place?

Well, the answer is just like how I answered the Red Sox one, that’s baseball.

This team has a +52 run differential (mostly from games vs the A’s), they’ve scored more runs than the Guardians, and they’re only one game behind the Guardians for wins on the road.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does not do good in night games. They’re 25-24.

Kansas City Royals

With 22 wins and 24 losses against teams over .500, not sure if this team is going to do good in the playoffs if they make it all, but certainly Seth Lugo has been a great one for them this season.

They’re also a great team at home. The problem is, all the losses on the road, but even then, this team still has 51 wins and 43 losses. They’re 2.5 games behind the Twins and 7 behind the Guardians. It doesn’t matter what, they’re still in this race.

They have to keep winning against the AL Central (like they are now) and need to dominate other opponents moving forward. They have to play like they can’t drop a series if they want to make the playoffs. Lazing off, ain’t gonna do any good.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team has a losing record against teams in the east.

Detroit Tigers

This team’s probably not going to make it, but it’s still possible, being only 13 games back for the top spot. The Tigers have struggled… Everywhere.

They can’t win in the day, in the night, playing on grass, in 1-run games, and the list goes on and on. That’s just how it’s been this season for this team.

Last year, at this time, the Tigers were 39-50, in 3rd place in the division. This year, they; ‘re just about they’re except they’re 4th place. In 2023, they finished 2nd in the division. If that kind of comeback happened when they’re roster was even worse last year, why not think about this year?

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does good against teams in the central.

White Sox

I guess that’s what happens when you trade so many assets of yours. You’re the worst team in baseball. Next up to leave Chicago, Luis Robert Jr.

Nothing to talk about this team, but for the one thing to note section, let’s talk about something good for a change.

ONE THING TO NOTE: They don’t have the worst run differential in the league. That’s owned by the Colorado Rockies.

Seattle Mariners

Yes. This team is leading this division, even with an incredibly bad record playing teams on the road. In fact, their road record is worse than the team in second place in their division, the Houston Astros, by 3 games (3 losses). How are they in first place?

I don’t think this team is going to be in first place for long. They’re going to fall. Houston’s going to come up, but the Mariners are still going to make the Wild Card with the Texas Rangers horrific season. The Mariners just have too many holes (plus a Julio Rodriguez who just can’t hit) to win a division.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does not do good in day games sitting at .500.

Houston Astros

Injuries have plagued this team, but the players on the IL should be coming back pretty soon. They should overtake and take first place and it’s going to be great in H-Town.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does REALLY BAD in 1-run games.

Texas Rangers

What a bad year this has been for this Rangers team. I hope they can do better in the second half. Seager is doing great. Semien is doing okay. Garcia is doing incredibly badly. This Rangers team has an ERA of 4.00. Bad, bad, bad.

They’re getting their players back from injuries too (I don’t know what’s with the AL West and injuries), so maybe they can make a run to get a Wild Card spot. Otherwise, I’m not too optimistic for the Rangers to win the division, let alone make the playoffs.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does not do good in night games.

Los Angeles Angels

What the hell is there to talk about this team? No Mike Trout, so there isn’t even anything worth looking at.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team is better than the Astros in one run games.

Oakland Athletics

The fact that this team can still end the year ranked 4th in the division is crazy, but still not a surprise.

The outbursts from the A’s this season is unreal. They’ve won a series against some of the MLB’s best teams. It’s crazy! Scoring 18 runs against the Phillies? Even crazier!! In fact, they have a better run differential than 4 teams!

The thing is, the A’s have some really good players. Zach Gelof, Mason Miller, Brent Rooker, etc. All of these guys are homegrown inside the A’s organization. It’s pretty special. To be honest, this team’s farm system has produced players like Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, and Sean Murphy. They developed these guys into studs… before trading them away. So, what’s the point of making them studs?

Needless to say, this A’s team is on the right track. I have them making a playoff push in the 2026-2027 season.

At the beginning of the season, the Phillies were favorites and they could become a team to beat the Dodgers! This team had the most all-stars at the Midsummer Classic this season and can do more damage to teams playing them. I believe they’ll get the 1st Wild Card bye.

This team has a winning record at everything, except playing games that go into extras.

They even have a BETTER record than the Dodgers playing teams that are over .500! They just have to sweep the Dodgers again and they’ll get the NL #1 Seed

ONE THING TO NOTE: The Phillies hold the best record in baseball.

Atlanta Braves

This is a very team with superstars, but their players keep getting hurt. They have Acuna out and Spencer Strider out for the season. But by surprise, they hold the top Wild Card spot.

This team is bad against opponents in the West, but they are 33-27 against teams that are over .500.

They’ll probably play some decent baseball in the 2nd half, as they’ll look to make a run out of it. They’re doing good without their 2 key players (Acuna, Strider).

This team has a +65 run differential, but the Phillies scored 70 more runs than them.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team has the 3rd easiest schedule in the 2nd half.

New York Mets

They are currently gripping the last NL Wild Card spot, but they probably won’t make it far in the playoffs, as they have a losing record against teams over .500. Alonso is the star so far, as he currently eying his 20th HR of the season.

The team is .500 at home and has a losing record away, so this can impact things if the Mets were to make the postseason. However, being 4 games back against a wounded Braves team could be a good thing. If they could make a run, they can try for the top NL Wild Card spot.

They just have to improve playing day games. They stand 20-23 so far in these type of games. They also like to win 1-run games so, if teams are trailing by 1 run in the 9th against the Mets, they’re pretty much doomed.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team is not good against AL teams.

Washington Nationals

This team won’t make it. They are 6 games back of the last NL Wild Card spot and have the 11th hardest schedule in the second half, so no.

They have losing records in both home and away games, day and night games, and struggles mainly of teams in the West.

Last year, in this date, the Nationals are 38-57. They are in pace to have a better record than 2023. But they finished 2023 as last in the NL East, unlike the Tigers, the AL Central was just bad last year that they made a comeback to finish 2nd in their division. The NL East is tougher, so they won’t move up the ranks before the season ends.

They’re lucky the Marlins are bad right now, that’s why they’re 4th in the NL East.

ONE THING TO NOTE: They play better against lefties.

Miami Marlins

Miami was just an NL Wild Card team last year. Guess what? Soler went to San Fran, so now, you guys have nothing. You’re the worst in the NL. You won’t be a postseason contender for a while.

There’s nothing to talk about for this team, I can gurantee that they won’t make the postseason this season. Let’s hope that they can rebuild and be stronger next season.

ONE THING TO NOTE: They don’t have the worst run differential in the league even if the team stands last in the NL. That’s owned by the Colorado Rockies.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers come off an NL Central title last year and they look like they’re gonna do it again this season based on their first half. This team is comfortable at home and have a winning record against teams over .500. This is suitable for a run until at least the NLDS.

This team is only good against teams in the Central and are mostly bad against the West. The good side is that they have winning records in both day and night games.

Another thing in the standings that bothers Milwaukee is winning 1-run games. They’re 15-16 doing so.

ONE THING TO NOTE: The Brewers are 3-7 in their last 10.

St. Louis Cardinals

This team can still push for the NL Central title. With the Brewers going 3-7 in their last 10, it looks good so far. However, their run differential is -38.

This team has a losing record in teams greater than .500, so they are projected for a Wild Card exit for me. They currently hold the NL’s 2nd Wild Card spot. They also are .500 against the East, and have a winning record against the Central and the West, unlike Milwaukee, the Brewers are bad against the West once again. This is looking good for an NL Central push.

This team also can’t win day games. They’re 22-25 doing so.

ONE THING TO NOTE: The Redbirds have the 9th hardest schedule in the MLB for the 2nd half.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Somehow, this team has a better run differential than St. Louis. They’re doing all of this because of rookie phenom Paul Skenes. They can push for the postseason this year.

However, this team can’t win games at the best stadium in the MLB. They’re 22-24 in home games. They also can’t win games with teams over .500 (21-27). They have the 8th hardest 2nd half schedule, so this team will probably not make it out.

The good thing is that they’re 7-3 in their last 10 (as I’m writing this), but they’re currently playing a series against the best team in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies, and they can drop from there. Before the break, they won a series against the division-leading Brewers.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team is not good against teams in the AL.

Cincinnati Reds

They’re just three games back of a wild card spot. Elly De La Cruz is stealing bases. This might be another Wild Card push. The downside is that they can’t win extra-inning games and 1-run games.

They also can’t win day games, inter-conference games, and games against either their own division/AL Central. This can be a factor if they were to push for a wild card spot.

The bright side is that the Reds have a better run differential than the Pirates and the Cardinals, and they can still finish 2nd in their division. They just need to win some more games and they’ll do exactly that.

ONE THING TO NOTE: With this run differential, they should’ve been 53-44 right now.

Chicago Cubs

They nearly got a postseason berth last season. But because they sold postseason tickets early, they jinxed it. They ended up missing the postseason. And now, they’re last in the NL Central. This team is 4 GB from a Wild Card spot, but since the entire NL Central is currently pushing for a spot in the postseason, the Cubs probably won’t make it out.

This team is bad against teams in either the AL or NL Central, but they have the 2nd easiest schedule in the MLB. So this might be a push, so that means the entire NL Central will be pushing for at least, a Wild Card spot.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team can win against AL teams.

Los Angeles Dodgers:

Yes. It is incredibly surprising that this team hasn’t won 60 games yet. After all, they’ve spent a billion dollars in the offseason.

But, reality struck. Injuries are everywhere for this team. Yamamoto, May, Kershaw (UPDATE: Off the IL. I found out at about 11 P.M. EST), Muncy, Betts, Brasier, Graterol, and more players are currently on the IL. That’s a hella lot and it’s incredibly impacting how they’re playing.

They’re struggling right now, even if they just won the series against the Red Sox. The thing is, they’re going to make the postseason. That’s how bad this NL West division is. Will they survive in October is once again the question.

The Dodgers must be aggressive at the deadline if they want to win it all.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team is second in the league for the amount of extra-inning games played this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

This team should be great. They’re coming off a World Series loss, they’re coming off a flurry of moves made by their GM, and they should be great.

But, for some reason, they’re 7 games behind the Dodgers and have the same amount of wins as the Padres who shouldn't be doing that good.

The Diamondbacks are doing that good versus teams in the East which is a bit of a problem as this is the wild card picture right now. Brewers, Braves, Cardinals, and Mets. They also have a huge problem with teams over .500, having a losing record.

This team absolutely needs to improve at the deadline or else things are going to go off the rails.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does not do good against lefties.

San Diego Padres

Tatis and Machado are mashing as they should be, but this is still a great season for the Padres which is above expectations.

Nothing really to talk about this team. They weren’t/aren’t supposed to be playoff contenders. I know they want to compete, though. They just shouldn’t do anything dumb which includes: sacrificing prospects for big-name players.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team is good in extra-inning games, losing only one contest.

San Francisco Giants

They couldn’t land Correa or Ohtani, but they did land Snell and Chapman.

These guys are performing just like how they should perform especially Chapman.

Chapman is a career .240 hitter, he’s hitting .240.

Hence, it’s Farhan Zaidi’s fault or just the Giants luck. Heliot Ramos is something else right now (amazing), but he’s not enough to push this injured Giants team to the postseason.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team is better in day games than night games.

Colorado Rockies.

You know, there is a guy who’s doing good on this team. That person is Ryan McMahon.

ONE THING TO NOTE: They’re good in extra inning games?