While the All-Star Game has always been considered Major League Baseball’s midway point of the season, the end of the season is closer than the start.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have MLB’s best record at 61-36, have completed 97 games so far in the 162-game schedule. Only 65 games stand between them and the end of the campaign.

Also, only 15 Dodgers games stand between now and MLB’s trade deadline on Aug. 3. What the Dodgers do at the trade deadline to improve their star-studded roster will be one of the more fascinating things to watch as the deadline approaches.

There’s more than half of a season to see the good, bad and ugly of this MLB campaign. Here’s a look at some of the teams and players that have stood out — on one end of the spectrum or the other.

Good

Milwaukee Brewers — While the Dodgers belong here, too, it’s the Brewers who are only 1.5 games behind Los Angeles in the race for MLB’s top record. Sitting at 59-37, Milwaukee has a five-game lead on the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and could add to its roster at the trade deadline.

Big question: Every year pundits underestimate the Brewers. And seemingly every season they prove them wrong. Can they dethrone the Dodgers?

Tampa Bay Rays — The American League version of the Brewers, the Rays have a three-game lead on the New York Yankees in the AL East. One of the keys to Tampa’s success? Former Rockies second-round pick Ryan Vilade, who hit .280 in June and has become a middle-of-the-order option for them.

Big question: Can the Rays hold off the Yankees and secure home-field advantage inside the Tropicana Dome for the entire postseason?

Yordan Alvarez — The Houston Astros slugger is right in the mix of the AL Triple Crown conversation, leading the AL in home runs (31) and RBIs (70) while ranking second in batting average (.318). He’s having a tremendous season and helping the Astros stay in the postseason conversation.

Big question: Can Alvarez become MLB’s first triple crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012? And can his heroics push Houston into meaningful October baseball?

Bad

Cincinnati Reds — The Reds made the postseason last year, but this year has been anything but positive for a young team with high aspirations coming into 2026. Cincinnati visits Coors Field on Friday with a 43-52 mark and in the cellar of the NL Central.

Big question: Will Cincinnati be a big seller at the trade deadline and try to regroup for 2027 and beyond?

Los Angeles Angels — Yes, the Angels are tied with Kansas City for the worst AL record at 38-59. But did we expect much else from a franchise that has become so dysfunctional under owner Arte Moreno? Even future Hall of Famer Mike Trout can’t seem to save the Angels from themselves.

Big question: With former Cardinals executive John Mozeliak now serving as the interim general manager, is there any reason for near-term hope in Anaheim?

Francisco Lindor — Missing more than two months this season with a left calf strain, Lindor has struggled to consistently produce at the plate, reflecting a disappointing first half for both him and the New York Mets.

Big question: Can Lindor and the Mets show any kind of life after the All-Star break, or is the team with plenty of big names and bigger contracts heading for a big breakup?

Ugly

Kansas City Royals — After finishing 82-80 last season, Kansas City’s preseason win total was 82.5. However, that number now stands at 66.5 as the Royals have been hit by injuries and inconsistency, tying with the Angels for the worst AL record at 38-59.

Big question: What big roster or coaching changes will happen this season or in the offseason in Kansas City after such high expectations heading into the year?

Cal Raleigh — Few players entered 2026 with higher expectations than Raleigh after he rewrote the record books with 60 home runs a year ago. Instead of building on that momentum, Raleigh has struggled to find the same offensive rhythm. His batting average, slugging percentage and overall run production have all declined significantly, making him one of 2026’s biggest disappointments.

Big question: Can Raleigh rediscover the power stroke that made him one of baseball’s most feared hitters, or will 2025 prove to be the outlier rather than the beginning of a new standard?

MLB lockout forecast — Based on comments from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA leader Bruce Meyer, both the owners and players have dug in ahead of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expiring on Dec. 1. If a quick thaw doesn’t happen, expect baseball to head into a long, dark winter.

Big question: How much of the 2027 MLB season will we lose, or can a 162-game season still be salvaged next year? The latter feels like a long shot.