Great MLB Stories at Midseason
Major League Baseball has reached its midpoint of the season. Although the schedule is about to complete 60%, the tradition of dividing the season into two halves, marked by the All-Star Game, remains in effect. Taking advantage of the All-Star break, we analyze the plots that have dominated the first half and how they could develop in the remainder of the season.Before delving deeper, we mention some highlighted topics that didn’t make it into our top 10: the disappointing seasons of the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves; the dominance of the Houston Astros in the American League West Division, despite the injury of Yordan Álvarez, the loss of Alex Bregman and the transfer of Kyle Tucker; the .332 average of rookie Jacob Wilson; the great year of Matthew Boyd with the Chicago Cubs; the return of Jacob deGrom; Eugenio Suárez’s four-home run game; and the spectacular catches of Denzel Clarke in center field with the Athletics.
Now, let’s go with the 10 most important stories of the 2025 season so far.1. Chaos in the American League East
The American League East has experienced enough dramatic twists to fill an entire novel series. The New York Yankees seemed poised to dominate the division at first, but have fallen to second place. The Toronto Blue Jays, on the other hand, led the division after a winning streak. The Tampa Bay Rays, despite a good initial performance, have fallen back to fourth place. And the Baltimore Orioles? They fired their manager and could trade several key players. But the biggest drama has been starring the Boston Red Sox. The saga of Rafael Devers, which began in spring training, including complaints about his role as a designated hitter, a slow start at the plate, a period of good hitting, and his refusal to play at first base, culminated in his shocking transfer to the San Francisco Giants, a few hours after Boston completed a sweep against the Yankees. A streak of six consecutive losses seemed to seal the fate of the Red Sox. However, the team won their last 10 games before the All-Star break, and they are now in a wild card position. Will it be a story to follow? Definitely. The fight for the division and the possibility of an exciting matchup between four teams make the American League East the most exciting race to follow in the second half of the season.2. The Surprisingly Interesting National League Central
The Cubs have a top-tier offensive team, led by MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong, All-Star Tucker, Michael Busch, and Seiya Suzuki. In addition, they have an All-Star pitcher in Boyd and a very solid bullpen. But, despite all this, the Milwaukee Brewers are only one game away. How is it possible? The Brewers score runs without relying so much on the home run; they are aggressive on the bases and, as always, find a way to have good pitching. They have added Brandon Woodruff, who is returning from an injury, and rookie Jacob Misiorowski, who dominates with his fastball. If Misiorowski maintains his level and Woodruff regains his form, the Peralta, Woodruff, and Misiorowski rotation could be fearsome in October. Will it continue to be a significant story? Yes, the Brewers are real, and they have won seven games in a row before the All-Star break. With the incorporation of Woodruff and Misiorowski, and the great offense of the Cubs, the Central Division promises excitement in the second half.3. The Epic Race for the American League MVP
The American League MVP race is focused on two contenders:- Cal Raleigh, who is on his way to set an American League record with 64 home runs.
- Aaron Judge, who could have a season of 11.8 WAR.
4. Pete Crow-Armstrong Leads the National League MVP Race
Image: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images
Crow-Armstrong, in his rookie season in 2024, didn’t seem like an MVP candidate. However, he has become one of the most exciting and valuable players in the majors. With 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases, he’s on pace for a 40/40 season, and with excellent defensive metrics, he leads the National League in WAR. His OBP of .302 would be the lowest for an MVP, but his impact on the game is undeniable.
Will it still be an important story? Yes. Despite Crow-Armstrong’s aggressive approach at the plate, pitchers still haven’t found a way to exploit it. Ohtani, who has now added pitching to his repertoire, is the favorite according to the bets, but Crow-Armstrong remains a strong contender.
5. The Dodgers are Unbeatable… Or Not
The Dodgers’ season start, with the addition of Snell, Sasaki, and Scott, generated expectations that they could be one of the best teams of all time. However, injuries and underperformance have affected the team. Despite this, the Dodgers are still projected to win 97 games. The rotation ranks 20th in the league in effectiveness and the bullpen ranks 24th. The question is whether the Dodgers can repeat as World Series champions.6. The Detroit Tigers Have the Best MLB Record
The fact that the Tigers have the best record (59-38) in the majors is unexpected. With Tarik Skubal as their ace, and the outstanding performances of Baez and McKinstry, the team has exceeded expectations. Gleyber Torres has been a great addition, and Torkelson and Mize are having their best seasons. Will it still be a story? The Tigers should stay in the fight for the best record, but their bullpen showed weaknesses in the series against the Mariners. The team will seek reinforcements in the transfer market to maintain its level.7. Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and an Incredible Season for Pitchers
Skubal and Skenes were the starters for the All-Star Game, leading a stellar season for starting pitchers. Many pitchers have an ERA below 3.00. Skenes, despite his bad luck, could be the favorite for the Cy Young. Will it still be a story? Yes. With so many pitchers having great seasons, the Cy Young race is open. DeGrom, with a great performance, is also a name to consider.8. Juan Soto’s Journey with the New York Mets
Soto got off to a slow start with the Mets, but has improved significantly since June. Although his overall offensive numbers are returning to their usual level, his performance with runners in scoring position and with men on base has been lower. If the Mets want to surpass the Phillies in the East Division, Soto will need to improve his performance in high-pressure situations. Will it still be a story? Yes, with the Mets competing for the National League East Division title, Soto’s performance in key situations will be crucial.9. Young Hitters Bursting onto the Scene
Image: Nic Antaya/Getty Images
James Wood and Junior Caminero have had outstanding seasons. Wood has 24 home runs and Caminero 23. Nick Kurtz has also had a great impact. Caglianone has also shown his power. These young players promise a lot for the future of baseball. Will it still be a story? Yes and no. Caminero’s Rays are in the playoff hunt, and Caglianone’s Royals could enter the wild card race. Wood’s season has gone a bit unnoticed, but his performance is impressive. These young players are part of a select group of players in their 22nd season.
