1 massive query for each MLB contender: Can the Yankees get wholesome? Will the Dodgers flip the change? Are the Crimson Sox a staff of future?

Now that the MLB commerce deadline has handed and rosters are lastly set, the ultimate push to the postseason has begun. Simply seven weeks stay within the common season, however as contenders put together for the house stretch, they nonetheless have main inquiries to reply earlier than the postseason begins.

Here is one key query for each contender over the ultimate seven weeks of the season.

Chicago White Sox: Have they got sufficient beginning pitching to win the division?

The White Sox are positioned to do one thing they have not completed since 2021: win the AL Central. However to take action, they’re going to must get extra from their beginning pitching down the stretch. Chicago’s largest query within the second half is whether or not their younger rotation can pitch effectively sufficient to carry off the surging Detroit Tigers and a hungry AL Central.

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Beginning pitching was one of many Sox’s fundamental priorities on the commerce deadline, which is why they added veteran right-hander Luis Castillo. However even with that veteran addition and right-hander Sean Burke being one of many American League’s breakout starters, the Sox will want extra from their group to win the division and attain the postseason.

The Yankees are placing lots of hope in getting again to full energy earlier than the top of the season. And whereas their star trio of Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton and, most significantly, Aaron Choose are all on the mend, time is just not on the Bronx Bombers’ aspect with seven weeks to go. 

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Even after the celebrities return, there isn’t any assure the Yankees will get regular ranges of manufacturing from them, significantly from Choose and Stanton. Choose has not performed in a sport since Memorial Day, and Stanton’s most up-to-date plate look got here approach again in early April. Even for gamers of their stature, anticipating them to rapidly get again to their slugging methods is perhaps silly.

However the actuality is the Yankees’ offense desperately wants the slug within the lineup to return. Because the first day of Choose’s absence on June 1, the Yankees rank simply twenty seventh in runs scored and twenty eighth in OPS. Rookie call-up George Lombard Jr. has injected some contemporary vitality into the lineup, however finally, this staff is holding its breath on the well being of its veterans.

Boston Crimson Sox: Are they this yr’s staff of future? 

The Crimson Sox are the most effective story in baseball this season. Their exceptional comeback from catastrophe following the firing of supervisor Alex Cora to being probably the greatest groups within the sport over the previous seven weeks has been unprecedented. They’ve put collectively 15-game and nine-game successful streaks this summer time, they usually’re enjoying at effectively over a .700 clip since July 1. 

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When a staff goes on a run like Boston has completed this yr, it is clear it has the makings of one thing particular. Now that they’ve gotten themselves in postseason place, the celebrities are seemingly aligning for Boston to proceed its magical season within the playoffs. And with Roman Anthony persevering with to make progress and left-hander Garrett Crochet not far behind, the Crimson Sox ought to have reinforcements on the way in which that might make them much more harmful come October.

Chicago Cubs: Are they constructed to win the Nationwide League?

No staff did extra for its playoff hopes on the commerce deadline than the Chicago Cubs, who addressed nearly all their wants. And with a new-look rotation and extra arms getting wholesome, Chicago now has the depth a contender must make a playoff push. 

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The Cubs’ offense has additionally seen a rebirth within the second half, with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s MVP-caliber season bringing all of it collectively. Chicago has the makings of a roster constructed to win in October, so after a disappointing exit to the rival Milwaukee Brewers within the NLDS final season, can the Cubs change their fortunes in 2026?

If their roster tells you something, it is that the Cubs are all-in to make their deepest run within the postseason since 2017.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Can they flip the change for a 3rd straight yr?

They have been the decide to win the 2026 World Collection even since they hoisted the trophy following Sport 7 in Toronto. And whereas on paper the back-to-back World Collection champion Dodgers have a roster that ought to run by means of the remainder of the Nationwide League, particularly after the addition of Tarik Skubal, their problem is one which few groups face. 

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Whenever you win as a lot because the Dodgers have over the previous 5 years, it may be more durable to flip the change. Fairly frankly, the Dodgers look bored currently, figuring out that their season actually begins as soon as the calendar flips to October. In latest weeks, even supervisor Dave Roberts has implored his group to play with urgency.

The previous two seasons, the Dodgers had been capable of flip it on and let their expertise carry them within the postseason. The query now could be whether or not they can try this for a 3rd season. To not point out that with this staff, the well being of the beginning rotation isn’t a positive factor.

Milwaukee Brewers: Can regular-season success translate to postseason glory?

In relation to the common season, the Brewers thrive. They’ve the front-runner for the NL Cy Younger Award in Jacob Misiorowski, and on prime of that, they proceed to point out that they are often certainly one of baseball’s finest groups regardless of being in certainly one of its smallest markets. This season, the Brewers are prime 5 in batting common, runs scored, staff ERA and strikeouts on the mound.

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However regular-season success is nothing new for the Brewers; they’ve completed this loads of instances lately. The following step for Milwaukee is getting that success to translate to October. Milwaukee made its deepest run within the postseason since 2018 final yr however finally was swept by the Dodgers within the NLCS.

One factor that’s nearly all the time true within the playoffs is that groups that slug often win. Rating thirtieth in MLB in homers, that is simply not within the Brewers’ DNA. So whereas the Brewers have found out methods to get to the postseason, determining methods to succeed as soon as there may be going to be their problem over the ultimate seven weeks.

Philadelphia Phillies: Have they got sufficient to make yet another run?

The Phillies have been perennial NL contenders since 2022. However this season, they’re no lock to make the postseason, as they’re now in a battle with Arizona and San Diego for a wild-card spot. Regardless of their largely constant play since June, the Phillies are 10-14 for the reason that All-Star break, and the Padres’ latest sizzling streak has elevated the stress.

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For a Phillies core that continues to become older whereas leaning on massive names reminiscent of Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner, it is truthful surprise what number of alternatives they’ve left. The star energy in each the rotation and the lineup offers Philly a bonus. However lacking the postseason this yr would really feel like their window coming to an in depth.

Atlanta Braves: Will their lack of ability so as to add beginning pitching price them?

The Braves have been one of the constant groups in baseball this season. Not solely have they held agency management of the NL East for the reason that starting of the season, however they’ve additionally reclaimed their standing as World Collection contenders. But when there’s one space the place the Braves are prone, it is their beginning pitching. Chris Sale has as soon as once more been phenomenal in his age-37 season, however he is carrying an Atlanta employees that has fought by means of tons of accidents. 

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The Braves approached the commerce deadline with a purpose so as to add extra beginning pitching, however their transactions left so much to be desired, with solely right-hander Tyler Mahle introduced in as a reinforcement. General, the mix of Grant Holmes, Reynaldo Lopez, Bryce Elder and Martín Pérez has held issues collectively behind Sale, however in a Nationwide League through which many contenders bought higher and added pitching on the deadline, Atlanta’s lack of ability to do extra may very well be an issue come October.

San Diego Padres Can their stars keep sizzling to get them to the playoffs? 

The Padres have been looking out all season for constant offense, which is one thing of a shock, contemplating the star energy on their roster. However San Diego’s stars, together with Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill, have all gone by means of their share of offensive struggles.

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Over the previous month, nonetheless, San Diego’s star-studded lineup has lastly come alive, rating second in MLB in runs scored because the staff has gone 16-9 for the reason that All-Star break. Merrill has been certainly one of baseball’s hottest hitters, with a 1.046 OPS over the previous month, whereas Tatis and first baseman Ty France each have an OPS close to 1.000 in the identical span.

The Padres go as their stars go, and with their lineup lastly delivering and looking out assured, they’ve saved their finest for the proper time.

Detroit Tigers: Will their second-half surge be sufficient to make the postseason with out Skubal?

If it feels such as you’ve seen this film earlier than with the Detroit Tigers, it is as a result of you could have. The surging Tigers are beginning to really feel very similar to they did in 2024, after they offered on the commerce deadline — sending Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers — earlier than happening a run to the postseason. 

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This yr, Detroit traded longtime ace Tarik Skubal to L.A., but the Tigers have continued to play their finest baseball of the season over the previous two months. Since June 1, the Tigers are 37-22, they usually’ve gone from being tied for the worst report in baseball to being a half-game out of a playoff spot and simply 2.5 video games behind the White Sox within the AL Central. 

It felt like a darkish cloud was hovering over this staff for the primary few months of the season, however currently, the Tigers have performed in addition to any staff within the sport. Their revamped beginning rotation, even with out Skubal, has been the most effective unit in baseball. Detroit simply is perhaps essentially the most attention-grabbing staff to observe over the ultimate seven weeks of this season.

No staff within the American League has been as constant because the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays. Since taking on first within the AL East on Might 10, the Rays have been rolling, going 48-33 over that span. It may not be flashy, however the seemingly all the time aggressive Rays have the postseason of their sights but once more.

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The distinction for Tampa Bay this time round is Junior Caminero. The 23-year-old is a celebrity and is enjoying at an MVP degree this season. After hitting 45 homers in his breakout 2025 season, the Rays’ third baseman is placing on a present in ’26, slashing .277/.369/.554 with 35 residence runs and 36 RBI and main his staff in almost each offensive class. 

Within the postseason, having a celebrity issues. And the Rays have one. After they get to October, having Caminero because the cornerstone of the lineup will likely be an enormous enhance as they appear to win their first postseason collection since reaching the World Collection in 2020.

The Rangers have had an up-and-down season, but as of Wednesday, they maintain a playoff spot. This can be a very totally different staff than the one which gained the 2023 World Collection, however they nonetheless have an necessary piece of that core in shortstop and World Collection MVP Corey Seager. Seager has struggled in 2026, coping with an ailing decrease again for almost all of the season, besides, he’s the important thing to Texas’ playoff hopes. 

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When Seager goes effectively, he is probably the greatest hitters within the sport. And having an affect bat just like the two-time World Collection MVP in the midst of the lineup is big. Plus, the Rangers have been getting sturdy manufacturing from different locations whereas Seager has been getting wholesome, with Brandon Nimmo, Joc Pederson and Wyatt Langford all offering offensive manufacturing.

If Seager’s again can maintain up over the subsequent seven weeks, the Rangers have an opportunity to achieve the postseason. As a result of not solely is the American League vast open, but additionally no staff within the AL West has taken management of the division but.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Can they discover a bit extra wild-card magic?

In relation to launching a playoff run from a wild-card spot, no staff is aware of greater than the Diamondbacks about getting sizzling on the proper time, as Arizona turned the poster youngster for the third wild-card spot by making a run to the 2023 World Collection. This season, the D-backs discover themselves in the same spot. Arizona has discovered a rhythm for the reason that All-Star break, with a 15-10 report, and with the Phillies’ latest slide, the D-backs have cemented their place in the midst of the wild-card combine. 

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In relation to reaching the postseason, some groups are uncomfortable with the prospect of enjoying within the wild-card spherical. However maybe the D-backs’ largest energy is their confidence that they will make issues occur even with out successful the division.

Yordan Álvarez has been a person on a mission this yr. The Astros’ slugger has been the most effective hitter within the American League and is the front-runner to win AL MVP. However Álvarez’s stellar season hasn’t all the time translated to Astros success. As is the case for a lot of the AL West, it has been a mediocre season in Houston, and because the Astros attempt to make it again to the postseason after lacking the playoffs for the primary time in 9 years, they’ve wanted each little bit of Álvarez’s manufacturing. 

The Astros are presently main the division, however with the Rangers proper behind them, they’ve little margin for error over the ultimate seven weeks. Even with Álvarez enjoying at an MVP degree, this staff goes to wish different hitters to step up in the event that they hope to achieve the postseason.