Baseball’s All-Star festivities are behind us, and the road to October is officially underway. The 2025 MLB season has already delivered its share of drama, surprises, and standout performances — but the second half promises even more. With playoff spots up for grabs and the trade deadline fast approaching, here are the five biggest questions every fan should be watching as the stretch run begins.
1. Who’s Buying, Who’s Selling at the Trade Deadline?
The July 31 trade deadline is MLB’s first major post-break milestone, and it’s shaping up to be a quieter year — at least at the top. Most teams remain within four or five games of a playoff spot, which means few front offices are ready to throw in the towel just yet. That’s not to say movement won’t happen — it just may not come from the biggest names.
The early move: Pittsburgh shipped Adam Frazier to Kansas City, a modest transaction that could set the tone. Expect fringe contenders like the Red Sox, Brewers, Mariners, Rangers, and Diamondbacks to weigh the next 10 days carefully. A winning streak or losing skid could flip them from buyers to sellers overnight.
Meanwhile, teams like the Cubs — comfortable in their roster and confident in their chemistry — might stay put. "I don’t expect any moves," said Chicago outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. "I expect to keep playing the same baseball we’ve been playing." That mindset may be common among the current contenders.
2. Who Will Win the AL MVP Race?
Two names are rising above the rest: Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh.
Judge, the Yankees’ superstar, has the narrative, the numbers, and the New York spotlight. He leads the league in batting average (.355) and RBIs (81), and trails only Raleigh in home runs.
But Raleigh, Seattle’s breakout slugger and 2025 Home Run Derby champ, is on an electrifying pace. With 38 homers already, he’s threatening Barry Bonds’ single-season record of 73. If he continues to power the Mariners’ offense like this, the voters may not be able to ignore him — no matter what time zone he plays in.
The MVP race could come down to exposure versus impact. Judge may win on resume and market. But if Raleigh carries Seattle to the playoffs, he might steal the show — and the trophy.
3. Are the Tigers for Real?
It’s not a dream — the Detroit Tigers own the best record in baseball (59–38) and have six All-Stars to show for it. They boast top-10 rankings in both pitching and offense, led by ace Tarik Skubal, who’s become a legitimate Cy Young candidate.
Their core — including Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Dillon Dingler, and Kerry Carpenter — came up through the system together. That continuity is paying off. “We came up together, and it’s pretty cool to be on the team and also be winning baseball games,” Greene said.
Still, questions remain. Detroit hasn’t won a World Series since 1984. Their bullpen has struggled recently, ranking 26th in the league since June. If they stay healthy and reinforce the back end of their staff, they could make a serious push this fall.
4. Will the Rockies Set a Record for Futility?
While Detroit and L.A. are chasing titles, the Colorado Rockies are chasing the wrong kind of history. At 22–73, they’re on pace for a 38–124 finish — which would top the 2024 Chicago White Sox for most losses in a single MLB season (121).
Their first-half performance has been historically bad, and local media has taken note. The Denver Post now publishes a weekly “futility tracker,” charting their march toward infamy.
Oddly enough, there’s a flicker of hope: Since June 2, the Rockies are 9–9 on the road — proof that they can compete on occasion. But unless they turn into a completely different team overnight, the record books may need an update by season’s end.
5. Can the Dodgers Go the Distance Again?
The Dodgers remain a powerhouse — maybe the powerhouse — despite limping into the break with three wins in their last ten games. When healthy, the trio of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts is unmatched in baseball.
And help is on the way. Pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are expected to return soon, which could stabilize their rotation for the final two months.
Still, as manager Dave Roberts cautioned, talent alone doesn’t win ballgames: “You still gotta pitch well, you gotta catch it, and you still gotta take good at-bats. So if all three of those don’t line up in one night, it’s hard to get a win.”
With the Tigers breathing down their necks and other contenders lurking, the Dodgers have no room to coast.
Final Word
The next 76 days will determine a lot: who gets in, who flames out, and who makes a run to baseball immortality. With two-thirds of the league still in the playoff hunt, a quiet trade market could lead to a thrilling final stretch. And whether you’re watching the MVP race, a Cinderella story in Detroit, or a historic collapse in Colorado, one thing’s for sure — baseball still knows how to surprise us.
