The 2025 MLB season has just hit its halfway point, and the All-Star break gave fans a chance to catch their breath.
With the trade deadline looming just weeks away and playoff races heating up, the top teams are now fully focused on the final stretch of the season. Already, a few clubs have separated themselves from the pack, not just with flashy records but with underlying numbers that back up their success on the field. Will these 5 teams be able to stay on track and ride out the rest of the season? What trades will they make to get them all the way to the World Series?
Despite what A. Rod, Big Papi, and the Captain said at the end of the 2025 MLB All Star Game, it's not looking like the Yankees and Red Sox are going to make it all the way. Could they? Sure, but these 5 teams are looking like the top contenders.
Record: 59-38 | World Series Odds: +700 (Bet365)
The Tigers sit at the top of the MLB with the best record, even after a tough pre-break slump.
They’ve been swept by the Mariners recently and showed some cracks, but don’t let that distract you from the bigger picture. They’ve outscored opponents by an insane 87 runs, and the rotation — anchored by Tarik Skubal — is one of the most effective in baseball.
Skubal is already making a strong case for back-to-back Cy Young Awards. With a dominant 1.58 ERA over his last 13 starts, he’s been lights out. His 11 strikeouts per 9 innings and pinpoint control have turned him into a true stopper. That’s the kind of ace every contender dreams of heading into October, as you’re almost guaranteed a win out of it.
At the plate, Detroit isn’t built around one star. They’re 5th in runs per game, which is a massive improvement from last year. Gleyber Torres has quietly been their most consistent hitter, getting on base at .377 and drawing more walks than strikeouts. Of course, Riley Greene strikes out a lot; in fact, he leads the MLB with 125 Ks, but he’s also dangerous in the middle of the order.
Manager A.J. Hinch has been mixing and matching lineups all year, as he tends to do. While they don’t have a true slugger like Ohtani or Judge, their depth makes them tough to pitch to. That said, they’ll need to make a move at the deadline — especially in the bullpen. Losing Jackson Jobe for the season hurts their rotation depth, but the starting rotation is still holding its own. A late-inning arm like David Bednar could give them the boost they need in the latter part of the game.
The Tigers were +4000 back in March. If you jumped on those odds, you’re sitting on a lucrative gold mine that is just waiting to pay out. At +700 now, they’re still decent value for a team with the league’s top record and not one I would wait around too long for.
Record: 58-39 | World Series Odds: +260 (Caesars)
It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the Dodgers despite what the pundits have predicted heading into 2025. They hit the break after losing 7 straight, and the rotation has been absolutely decimated by injuries. But here’s the thing — they’re still just a game behind Detroit and own the best offense in baseball by most metrics. That says a lot for a team that has been on a big losing streak.
Shohei Ohtani is doing Shohei things. He’s got an OPS well over 1.000 and is on pace for 50+ home runs — again. Once cleared to return to the mound full time, he could become the ultimate wild card down the stretch. He’s thrown some innings, but the Dodgers are still keeping his reps in the 20-30 range. Will Smith has held down the catcher spot both offensively and defensively, and Andy Pages has stepped up with Teoscar Hernández sidelined.
What’s scary is how good this team has been while constantly shuffling arms. Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki have all missed some amount of time, and the team has used 35 different pitchers up to this point. Still, the offense has carried them, leading MLB in SLG and OBP.
Their World Series odds have shortened to +260 from +400, still the best in the league, even after their recent slump. They’re clearly viewed as the most complete team in baseball — when healthy, of course. If Snell and Glasnow come back strong and they add another reliever at the deadline, they’ll be hard to beat in the final months of the MLB season.
Record: 57-39 | World Series Odds: +1300 (FanDuel)
For some, this might be the most fun story of the year. The Cubs weren’t expected to be this good, but here they are — with the best run differential in MLB at +119. That’s not a fluke, either, as they’ve done it with explosive offense and top-tier defense.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a revelation. He’s flashing MVP-level production and is already at 4.3 WAR in 74 games. On top of that, he’s doing it with both the bat and glove. Kyle Tucker’s midseason arrival from Houston added another dynamic bat to a lineup that was already clicking.
Defensively, the Cubs are near the top in runs saved. That kind of clean fielding can be the difference maker in tight playoff games. And the pitching is decent as well. Matthew Boyd, at 34, has been rock-solid as his ERA over the past 7 starts sits at 1.66. With Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga working their way back into the rotation, the pitching staff could get a boost soon.
Their odds opened around +3000 but now sit at +1300, which is quite a steep jump, but it reflects how well they’ve played. If they trade for one more starter — some rumors have Sandy Alcántara as a possibility — they could challenge anyone in the NL.
Record: 56-40 | World Series Odds: +1100 (Bet365)
The Astros are still hanging around, even if their record doesn’t pop like some of the others. Their June was dominant with a 24-8 record, and while they stumbled into the break, they remain just 5 games up in the AL West ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
Their bullpen is feeling like a cheat code in late innings. Opponents are hitting just .146 in high-leverage spots, and Josh Hader is perfect in save chances. Framber Valdez is giving them strong innings, and Hunter Brown has undoubtedly become one of the league’s best young arms with a 1.88 ERA.
The offense has stayed afloat without Yordan Alvarez, and Jeremy Peña has turned into a star. He’s got crazy power, elite speed, and solid defense — though a rib injury has sidelined him for now. Once he’s back, this lineup will feel unstoppable.
To take things a step further, the Astros are always active at the deadline. We expect them to look for a short-term Peña replacement and maybe add an extra bat. Their playoff experience is definitely unmatched, and their odds at +1100 reflect that. They’re lurking and still dangerous, and we have no doubt we’ll see them come October.
Record: 56-40 | World Series Odds: +3000 (BetMGM)
The Brewers are flying under the radar, but they’re getting it done. While most of the spotlight has gone to the Cubs and Dodgers in the NL, Milwaukee is just a game behind Chicago in the Central and riding a 7-game winning streak heading into the ASG break.
The best part is that they’ve been doing it with depth. 18 players sit in the 100-119 AXE range, meaning they’re getting solid production across the board from all positions. Their offense isn’t built on home runs like the Yankees, Dodgers, or Cubs — they’re just 21st in MLB in that category — but they still rank 8th in runs scored.
The pitching is what’s really clicking now and keeping them in the fight. Rookie Jacob Misiorowski came out firing with 11 hitless innings to start his career and even earned an All-Star selection. Freddy Peralta has been steady, of course, and Brandon Woodruff’s return gives the rotation a needed lift.
Their bullpen is solid, and their defense is absolutely underrated. With odds at +3000, they’re a high-upside sleeper when it comes to futures bets. Don’t be surprised if they flip a pitcher for a power bat at the deadline to patch the one hole in their lineup.
The second half of the MLB season is undeniably about momentum and staying healthy. The Tigers have the best record, but the Dodgers are not far behind and have the most firepower. The Cubs have been shockingly dominant on both sides of the ball heading into the break, and the Astros are steady and experienced. However, the biggest question mark is the Brewers, who are red-hot with room to improve.
Each of these teams has its own unique path to the World Series. We’re confident it’ll come down to deadline moves, getting healthy, and surviving the grind of late summer. Watch the odds and the injuries and get ready because it’s going to be a wild ride to October.