Groups return from the All-Star break with the chance for a symbolic contemporary begin. Although the season is greater than half over, the resumption of video games represents an opportunity to neglect about first-half troubles and concentrate on ending robust.
With that in thoughts, each staff — regardless of its file — has objectives for the remainder of the season. With assist from MLB.com’s 30 beat writers, right here’s one purpose for every staff within the second half.
Blue Jays: Get Vladdy going
The Blue Jays entered the break on a 13-4 tear with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. taking part in … fantastic. We haven’t seen something near Guerrero’s peak, although, making it much more shocking that the Blue Jays have managed to surge out in entrance of the AL East. Guerrero is the face of the franchise and the one participant able to taking up not solely a sport, however a collection. We noticed down the stretch in 2024 that he’s nonetheless able to these unbelievable runs with a 1.000-plus OPS, which is precisely what the Blue Jays want in the event that they’re going to maintain this nice story going. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: Construct momentum towards 2026
The primary half of the season didn’t go anyplace near deliberate for the O’s. They usually struggled to construct constructive momentum, because it felt like each time they took a step ahead, it was instantly adopted by no less than one step again. Baltimore is dedicated to getting again to rivalry in 2026, so it might be useful if the membership might play extra to its potential all through the second half. For that to occur, the core gamers should get scorching. — Jake Rill
Rays: Get again to the postseason
For about seven weeks, it regarded just like the Rays could be sure for a second-straight mediocre season. Then, for the following 5 weeks, they performed like the very best staff in baseball. Lastly, they struggled by a 10-day highway journey to complete the primary half, erasing a lot of the progress they made in late Could and June. With a big group of AL Wild Card hopefuls, they’ll’t afford many extra stretches like that. They should get again to taking part in their model of baseball in the event that they wish to return to the playoffs after sitting out October final 12 months. — Adam Berry
Crimson Sox: Begin robust popping out of the break
Final 12 months’s squad opened the second half with a disastrous highway journey in Los Angeles and Colorado, dropping 5 out of six. The Crimson Sox lacked the identical swagger from that time ahead and by no means performed like a viable contender once more for the remainder of the season. Enjoying three robust groups proper out of the gate (Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies) offers the Sox an opportunity to make a direct assertion that they’re for actual. — Ian Browne
After an offseason wherein they heard barbs from a number of Dodgers a couple of perceived popularity for sloppy baserunning and protection, the Yankees performed a extra hermetic model of baseball throughout the first two months of the season. That loosened from June into July – there have been too many errors, each bodily and psychological, on either side of the ball. If they’re to regain management of the highest spot within the AL East, sharper focus is a should. Outs are valuable, and so they’ve been giving too many away. — Bryan Hoch
Guardians: Keep within the race and keep adaptable
The Guardians need to put their 10-game skid absolutely within the rearview mirror and construct off their robust end to the primary half popping out of the break. As they goal to make a postseason push, they need to additionally not shrink back from getting appears to be like at gamers who can maybe assist down the stretch and in 2026. That features prospects reminiscent of Chase DeLauter, C.J. Kayfus and Juan Brito, every of whom are with Triple-A Columbus. — Tim Stebbins
Royals: Battle again within the standings
The easy purpose, the one purpose, for the Royals is to get again into the postseason race. They’re 4 1/2 video games out of an AL Wild Card spot because the second half opens, definitely inside hanging distance of securing a spot. There are additionally six different groups inside 5 video games of a playoff spot. The Royals want to indicate consistency with all features of their sport to get again in it. — Anne Rogers
Tigers: Clinch American League’s prime seed
No one is aware of higher than Detroit how playoff odds imply nothing (0.2 % anybody?), however the Tigers enter the second half with the Majors’ largest division lead. At this level, they’re very well-positioned for his or her first division title since 2014. Barring a collapse, Detroit can take into consideration how greatest to place itself for a deep postseason run, a quest that begins with a Wild Card spherical bye and continues with a No. 1 seed and home-field benefit at Comerica Park. — Jason Beck
Twins: Get the very best hitters going
Byron Buxton has been wonderful, however the remainder of the Twins’ prime hitters have fallen wanting expectations. Carlos Correa has been wholesome, however his total numbers are effectively off what he’s able to. Royce Lewis is getting hits however is just not hitting for energy, and Matt Wallner is the other — hitting homers however batting .205. If the lineup core will get going, the staff will as effectively. — Matthew Leach
White Sox: Enchancment, growth
Wins and losses nonetheless aren’t the last word purpose at this stage of the rebuild, though supervisor Will Venable and his employees stay targeted on attempting to win each day. Younger gamers reminiscent of infielders Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth, catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero and pitchers Shane Smith and Grant Taylor, to call just a few, have already got confronted on-field ups and downs all through their first massive league publicity. However this expertise will show beneficial and add to their confidence and information in 2026 and past as they determine on a regular basis life with the White Sox. — Scott Merkin
Angels: Keep in rivalry
The purpose is for the Angels to remain within the AL Wild Card hunt, as they weren’t anticipated to compete this 12 months and getting that type of expertise could be useful for the membership’s younger core. In fact, making the postseason is the last word purpose however even hanging across the AL Wild Card race could be a giant enchancment after dropping 99 video games final 12 months. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: Safe a prime seed within the AL
The Astros hit the All-Star break with the second-best file within the AL. They’re 2 1/2 video games behind the Tigers and just one sport forward of the Blue Jays. The highest two seeds within the AL will obtain a bye into the AL Division Sequence, so staying within the No. 2 spot is necessary. The Astros, although, are eyeing the highest spot within the AL by working down the Tigers, with an enormous three-game collection in Detroit looming in August. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: Proceed the event course of
The A’s have bounced again from a brutal 1-20 stretch by going 18-17 since June 5. Past the file, although, the main focus for the second half will probably be to proceed creating the younger expertise on this roster reminiscent of Jacob Wilson, Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler, Denzel Clarke and Max Muncy, all of whom are going by what is basically their first full season within the massive leagues. — Martín Gallegos
Mariners: Attain the postseason
After lacking the dance in every of the previous two years as the primary staff on the skin trying in — and by only one sport apiece, in addition (excluding tiebreakers) — something lower than taking part in into October could be an enormous disappointment. After a three-game sweep over the Tigers, who boast MLB’s greatest file, the Mariners regained momentum heading into the All-Star break, particularly when contemplating that it got here on the heels of arguably their worst lack of the season July 10 in New York. Seattle has 72.5 % odds to achieve the playoffs, per FanGraphs, that are the fifth-best within the American League. However the membership has struggled to realize floor on first-place Houston for the division lead, which it carried for 5 weeks earlier this season. — Daniel Kramer
Rangers: Be a league-average offense
It’s clearly simpler stated than accomplished, or else they’d’ve accomplished it already, however the Rangers have the very best rotation and a top-three bullpen. If the offense might simply be league common, Texas could be proper within the combine for the very best staff in MLB. Coulda, shoulda, woulda, however that’s been clear all season. If Corey Seager and Marcus Semien maintain taking part in as much as their normal, Josh Smith retains being the very best tremendous utility man within the Majors and if Jake Burger might simply present a little bit of pop, the Rangers might be in a superb place within the second half. — Kennedi Landry
Braves: Get a really feel for 2026
If the Braves commerce Marcell Ozuna earlier than the July 31 Commerce Deadline, they’ll use the ultimate two months getting a really feel for alternating Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin between the catcher and designated hitter roles. Likewise, they’ll spend extra time debating whether or not it is sensible to train Ozzie Albies’ $7 million choice, which features a $4 million buyout. Reynaldo López, who might be used as a starter or reliever, and Joe Jimenez might be declared able to pitch once more by the tip of the 12 months. This could provide an opportunity to get a greater really feel for offseason wants in each the rotation and bullpen. — Mark Bowman
Marlins: See indicators for the longer term
Greater than Miami’s remaining file, what’s most necessary in 2025 is for gamers to emerge as impactful items to construct round. Catcher/designated hitter Agustín Ramírez and All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers did so within the first half, however the Marlins wish to see much more guys step up. As a result of the staff is so younger, a lot of the gamers will expertise the grind of their first full MLB season. — Christina De Nicola
The Mets led the NL East for vital stretches of the primary half however haven’t been as constant total because the Phillies. If the Mets can win the division and keep away from the Wild Card Sequence, they’ll put themselves in higher place for a deep October run. Reaching this purpose would require sensible Commerce Deadline funding and improved play total, however this group is certainly proficient sufficient to do it. — Anthony DiComo
Nationals: Set up constant offense
The Nationals put collectively an offensive scorching streak on the finish of Could. Then they came across an 11-game dropping streak in June. The Nats will search for constant offense within the second half — each for the event of the younger offense and to supply their pitching with run help. They entered Sunday 30-15 when scoring first, however solely 5-47 when trailing after the sixth inning. — Jessica Camerato
Phillies: Win the World Sequence
That’s it. Profitable a World Sequence is extremely tough, after all. The Phillies have received simply two in franchise historical past. However the Phillies are constructed to win. They’ve the fourth-highest payroll in baseball at $279.4 million, in accordance with Spotrac. Stars Bryce Harper (32), Trea Turner (32) and Zack Wheeler (35) will probably be of their primes for less than so lengthy. Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto and Ranger Suárez will probably be free brokers after the season. They should strike now. — Todd Zolecki
The Brewers have used analytics to their benefit whereas making the postseason in six of the previous seven seasons, however the way in which old-school supervisor Pat Murphy sees it, there’s extra to their success than spreadsheets. When he was requested on Sunday what his staff did greatest within the first half, Murphy contemplated a second and stated one phrase: “Compete.” That sounds easy, however it takes unbelievable effort when a staff doesn’t have the type of offense that may merely energy its option to blowout wins. Stated Murphy, “I believe they wish to compete and that’s the very best factor. A whole lot of guys aren’t well-known within the Main Leagues, and it creates slightly edge.” — Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: Push for the playoffs whereas remaining versatile
In a 12 months that was imagined to be about growth, the Cardinals have defied the expectations of most by taking part in stirring, resilient baseball. If a Cardinals membership out of the postseason since 2022 can get into the playoffs, it ought to definitely do every little thing in its energy to get in. Nonetheless, if St. Louis falls out of the chase within the coming weeks, the group could be sensible to push its growth plans into overdrive. Promote right-hander Michael McGreevy and future star JJ Wetherholt, their No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline. Play Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman each day and get Ivan Herrera reps within the outfield. — John Denton
The purpose has remained the identical for the reason that offseason: Win the division. That was additionally the said purpose in every of the previous two years, however an 83-win end in each ‘23 and ‘24 left Chicago in second place and out of the playoffs. The ‘25 staff was constructed higher from the leap for a run at a postseason berth and the Cubs headed into the break with 57 wins, sitting in first place within the Nationwide League Central. — Jordan Bastian
Pirates: Play successful ball the remainder of the way in which
This season hasn’t gone as deliberate, however there’s nonetheless hope that the Pirates can rebound and compete in 2026. They’re going to wish to play higher baseball within the second half to encourage confidence. In the event that they play effectively, it might go a good distance towards cementing Don Kelly because the supervisor and that they only want so as to add to the Main League roster moderately than revamp it. — Alex Stumpf
Reds: Attain the postseason
Supervisor Terry Francona was employed particularly with that purpose in thoughts and he didn’t come out of retirement for something much less. Whereas the membership remains to be looking for offensive consistency, it has the rotation probably constructed for October led by All-Star Andrew Abbott and one other lefty, Nick Lodolo, having his greatest season. — Mark Sheldon
D-backs: String collectively some wins
And do it quickly. The Diamondbacks have been unable to get on any type of constant run this 12 months, hovering across the .500 mark. It was round this time final 12 months that they began to place every little thing collectively and located themselves answerable for their very own postseason future throughout the season’s remaining week. They want to try this once more, and shortly, or they may drive GM Mike Hazen to be a vendor on the Commerce Deadline. — Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: Maintain their gamers on the sphere
Because the Dodgers are all too conscious, that is simpler stated than accomplished. They ended the primary half with 13 gamers — 11 of whom are pitchers — on the injured checklist, together with high-profile names reminiscent of Blake Snell, Max Muncy and Roki Sasaki. L.A. ought to start getting a few of these gamers again not lengthy after the break, and the target from there’s to be as near full energy as attainable in time for the postseason. — Sonja Chen
Giants: Return to the playoffs
The Giants haven’t been to the postseason since 2021, however they need to have an opportunity to finish that drought if they’ll proceed to construct on their stable first half. Their pitching employees — led by All-Stars Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and Randy Rodríguez — is among the many greatest in baseball, however they’ll want to search out extra consistency on the offensive finish to make sure that they’ll solidify themselves as contenders down the stretch. — Maria Guardado
Padres: Postseason or bust
The Nationwide League West stays inside attain, and the Padres must be taking pictures for an opportunity to host a Wild Card Sequence. (They’ve confirmed earlier than how beneficial that may be.) However there’s actually just one barometer for achievement within the second half of the common season: Playoffs or bust. The Padres have a star-laden however unbalanced roster. It nonetheless must be ok to separate in a good Nationwide League — particularly contemplating San Diego performs one of many sport’s best schedules within the second half and figures so as to add forward of the Commerce Deadline. — AJ Cassavell
Rockies: Simply win, someday
There are the logical objectives — making incremental progress with fundamentals, getting on the identical web page after massive adjustments (with extra to come back) and integrating youthful gamers into the Main Leagues. However all of this turns into a lot simpler if the Rockies win some video games. There comes a time when all of the dropping drowns out all onerous classes on the planet. Being 22-74 at midseason with no collection wins at house will stress any constructing program. — Thomas Harding
