The All-Star game is now behind us, and we’re in the lull before games kick back up and the second half begins. There’s still plenty of baseball left to play, but in the meantime we’ll take stock of the state of the 2025 season and weigh which team impressed the most during the first half of the season. A look at some of the league’s top teams:
Detroit Tigers (59-38)
Entering the All-Star break with MLB’s best record is a surefire way to get serious consideration for an accolade like this, but the Tigers are arguably even more impressive than their record lets on given just how much they’ve outperformed their preseason expectations. Fangraphs projected the Tigers for a record of just 83-79, with a sub-50% chance to make the postseason. Detroit would have to win only 25 games over the season’s final ten weeks in order to beat that projection, thanks to strong performances from surprise All-Stars Javier Baez, Gleyber Torres, and Zach McKinstry alongside the ever impressive work of stars like Riley Greene and Tarik Skubal.
Los Angeles Dodgers (58-39)
That the Dodgers have the best record in the National League is practically assumed in recent years, which speaks to the overwhelming dominance of the team Andrew Friedman and the rest of the front office have constructed. Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound and putting together another likely MVP campaign, Will Smith is having a career season behind the plate, and bottom-of-the-lineup players like Andy Pages and Hyeseong Kim are contributing. While dominance in Los Angeles is hardly a surprise, it’s nonetheless impressive that they’ve been able to maintain their high standard of play even in spite of the rising tide of competitive teams in the National League, extended slumps from both Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, and a patchwork rotation that at points in the first half had more Cy Young awards on the injured list than healthy members of its projected Opening Day rotation.
Chicago Cubs (57-39)
The Cubs’ front office entered 2025 feeling pressure after seven years without winning a playoff game and four without so much as a postseason appearance. That helped convince them to swing a trade for superstar Kyle Tucker, who has anchored their lineup alongside breakout MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong. Tucker and Crow-Armstrong get the majority of the attention, but Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, and even veteran backstop Carson Kelly have put together strong seasons in their own rights. A pitching staff that lost both of its top starters early has been carried by a strong showing from offseason addition Matthew Boyd. It’s been enough to put them in the driver’s seat of the NL Central, and while that may have been expected entering the season, Chicago has made a statement by entering the second half in position to nab a bye through the Wild Card round.
Houston Astros (56-40)
After getting knocked out of the first round of the playoffs last year and the aforementioned Tucker trade, the Astros were a trendy pick to finally lose their grip on the AL West this year. They’ve answered the doubters impressively, plugging along despite getting virtually no production from Yordan Alvarez—or any other left-handed hitter, for that matter. Isaac Paredes has looked right at home in Daikin Park, and Cam Smith has taken to the majors quite well despite being getting just a handful of games at the Double-A level ahead of his big league debut. The real story of the season for the Astros has been in the rotation, however, as Hunter Brown has stepped up to make himself a true ace and legitimate Cy Young contender in a season where Houston would’ve otherwise had little certainty outside of pending free agent Framber Valdez.
Toronto Blue Jays (55-41)
The narrative surrounding the Blue Jays was such a bleak one entering this season that it’s impossible to ignore how quickly they’ve managed to turn things around. After missing out on the big fish in free agency for the second consecutive year, it seemed entering the season that the questions facing Toronto this summer would be about the future of Ross Atkins as GM and whether or not they’d need to trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before the deadline. A resurgent season from George Springer, a career year for Alejandro Kirk, and the breakout of Addison Barger have come together to help push this club to the top of a competitive AL East, however, and with both Guerrero and Kirk locked up long term the Jays should be looking towards brighter days in the future, as well.
Other Options
While those five teams have put together some of the most impressive first halves of the season, they’re far from the only contenders. The Phillies and Mets are locked in a tight battle for control of the NL East, and the starting pitching in Queens has been a pleasant surprise given the contributions of pieces like Griffin Canning (before his season-ending Achilles tear) and Clay Holmes. The Giants and Cardinals both entered this season viewed as potential deadline sellers but have put together strong enough campaigns to remain within the thick of the playoff race.
The Brewers appeared to be a question mark after losing Willy Adames and Devin Williams this offseason, but they’re just one game back of the Cubs in the NL Central and might get even better down the stretch now that Brandon Woodruff and Jacob Misiorowski are contributing. The Mariners have been able to hang in the playoff picture despite lengthy absences for both George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, while the Yankees have overcome significant rotation injuries. The Rays entered the season without even having a proper ballpark and look as strong as ever even after selling off key pieces like Paredes and Tyler Glasnow in recent years.
With so many strong performances in the first half, which team was the most impressive? Have your say in the poll below:
Objectively speaking, the Tigers
Tigers had the best first half, but I coveted them to have the best AL regular season record.
Doing better than I thought Toronto and Boston, both of whom I thought would be bad. Also doing better than I thought SF, St. Louis and Miami. I did not expect any of those five teams to make the post-season.
Worse than I thought, Atlanta, and to a lesser extent A’s, Dodgers, Padres, Phillies.
Miami is ahead of Atlanta and Toronto ahead of Yankees. I will say Miami is most impressive they have a couple of decent starters and a AAA team and they have overachieved.
Expected them not coveted them
@MLB Top 100 Commenter
Thou shall not covet thy neighbours fantasy team?
How so?
Houston was supposed to be in a reload year, but the reload took a month or two.
Everyone buried them and they are 2.5 games behind the Tigers. They beat the Tigers, Dodgers, Cubs and Phillies. They should have won this poll but they are hated so they wouldn’t.
I agree considering the low expectations they had coming into the season. I could’ve made a case for the Rays if they didn’t implode right before the all star break.
Yan – Wait until the weather delays and cancellations begin piling up, it will wreak havoc on the Rays pitching staff.
The bullpen hasn’t needed help from the weather. They’ve done a good job on their own sucking it up.
If we’re being honest, the Marlins being just 7 games below .500 is pretty impressive lol
Only because we’re being honest!
They have a bunch of really cool interesting players. Trade Alcantara for more offense.
Trade Alcantara for fewer runs allowed.
The Marlins played well, how about the Angels? They had the worst bullpen in MLB through May, rotation isnt all that good on paper, Trout was out for a month, and they are only two games under five hundred and seventh in the AL standings.
Objectively speaking, not the Tigers
From a talent perspective the Blue Jays are over performing. That team looked like they could be .500 and losing the division at the beginning of the year.
I genuinely believe the Marlins could be up there for most IMPRESSIVE. As their expectations were so below. Maybe not Impressive but most unexpected. I’ll probably get hate but Go Fish!
cart – No hate here, but the Rox have swept just ONE team all year …..can you guess which team that was?
Most impressive? The Tigers, but the Astros actually surprised me more, since I figured they were done as a serious contender.
MLB
Totally agree. I thought the Astros reign was over. Altuve still getting it done. Pena is a star. There bullpen has been phenomenal ,led by Hader.
They are in a fairly weak division though.
Why does that matter. They just did the Death knocking at doors meme to the NL leaders.
The Tigers, until the Mariners blew them out of the water and outscored them 35-14 in a three game sweep. That was pretty sweet.
Tigers or Blue Jays are the only right answers.
The fact that the Dodgers have already lost 39 games is impressive given their spending.
Toronto and Houston are false trial-balloons, they are riding high now on a boost of hot air, but they will soon start plunging earthward.
They might but as of today those would be my 2 picks for most impressive. I am shocked both teams have had the success they have had, the Jays without Scherzer and the Astros with all kinds of issues.
Cards – You missed my pre-season analysis on the Jays. There was PLENTY of reason to believe the Jays could make the postseason. They made the playoffs in 2023 with many of the same players they have this year.
MLB Network also said the Jays have one of the best pitching staffs in MLB.
The Cubs. Especially considering the weak pitching.
Steele misses the year and two months without Shota.
Boston. They traded Devers and have done very well.
“They traded Devers”..I bet Rafael Devers still doesn’t know what hit him and has learned(the hard way)that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.
I’m fairly confident Devers figured Boston would just put up with his pouting forever. Now, he has to prove himself to a new fanbase and all his accomplishments in Boston mean little to a brand new fanbase.
And a cold, windy ball park even in July & August night games. Welcome to San Francisco Rafael Devers.
And Devers has not.
Brew Cree
NY Mets.
Easily the Rockies , keep sleeping on them. Let the cheers be as loud as the boos
Rockies Mariners WS, 206er.
Astros are doing it with nobodies. Most injuries in the league. If impressive is the key, it’s the Astros.
Astros are amazing. They almost preternaturally defy their expected downfall like it’s an annual ritual.
The Rockies because it’s impressive to be this AWFUL.
Brewers and really the rest of the nl central imo. The cubs are better than most thought they would be and thats even with the the brewers reds and cardinals all playing above expectations.
Dodgers shouldn’t even be on the list.
As a Rangers Fan, all I see are Dodgers players going to the IL, how do they keep winning??? Their IL team could be in first place!
It’s because their payroll is larger than the GDP of some Third World countries!
Third World Countries are deferring payroll too.
It’s GNP, gross national product.
It’s GNP, gross national product. GDP is ground into double players. 🤣
Jello sea is not just the ocean around candy island
That’s what happens when you sign high risk players.
This team was suppose to be the best team of all time.
Giants deserve to be on this list before the dodgers do.
Dodger envy, simm?
Nah, just saying what everyone is saying. I’m sure you have seen heard it as well.
I’m biased but I must say the Jays so far. I still don’t believe that they’re a legitimate playoff team and I think that they’re going to come back down to earth in a big way but at the same time I was full expecting them to be batting for 4th in the East rather than being the top dogs as of the All Star break.
@bluejays92
There’s a lot of pixie dust on that team.
Their run differential tells me they are set for an adjustment downwards.
If only stats predicted the future hey?
I should be biased toward the Astros, but I thought the Blue Jays would be last in that division, not first, so they got my vote in this poll.
There’s really no reason to say you don’t believe they’re a playoff contender. They clearly are now.
Has to be Tigers or Cubs.
The Red Sox had the most impressive first half. With all the drama the front office and Cora created the team managed to find its way.
💯 tigers
The Astros. Just look at the recent starting lineups
The Braves, no doubt. I was impressed how much they stunk.
Underrated post.
Padres have basically had no production from left field or catcher, have had bad Dylan Cease, No King for 2/3 of the season, 2 starts from Darvish, the worst year of Arraez career, the worst month of Tatis career, more than a month missing of Merrill and another month of him not hitting any homers, and they are 8 games over .500 and in the wildcard, performing better than past recent years at this point.
Mike Schildt sucks according to the uninformed.
Manfred.
Just when you think he can’t ruin baseball more, he keeps a steady hand on the till and steers it further into the abyss.
Soon all games will be decided by a swing off and if that ends in a tie as well, dance off…
@Rsox
Kevin Bacon is judging the dance off.
Well played! Maybe they could do a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon contest to decide the winner?
I like bacon.
But do you like Bacon?
The Astros, Red Sox, and Blue Jays have all been impressive when you consider their rosters and where they are in the standings.
However. However, “impressive” works both ways and it is quite impressive just how truly awful the Rockies have been to this point considering they are supposedly a Major League Baseball team…
The Brewers
All of these teams were projected to do well. Spent in the off-season with the clear intention of contending. But everyone bet against the Brewers. Look at them now.
Pretty sure the Blue Jays were projected for a last-place finish. They have definitely exceeded expectations the most of any team. I have some doubts that it is sustainable but they’ve been fun to watch so far.
@brewazoc13
Fangraphs had them as an 84/85 win team at the start of the season. PECOTA had them in the same neighbourhood.
Which in the AL East could very well be a last place team.
I voted Blue Jays in this merit
Also a vote for the Brewers.
The Rox.
.229
The Chisox weren’t that bad, were they?
That’s impressive.
I get it, the Tigers have the best record. But surely the weakness of their division has to be factored into that
IMO, the Blue Jays and Cubs have been way more impressive than most people expected
I voted cubs, because I’m a Cubs fan, but they are probably behind the tigers
The best? Detroit. But I voted Toronto because I felt they’ve had the unlikliest start. Detroit wasnt much of a dark horse. Chicago HAS played to a better record than many might have thought. But they were a common division favorite.
Dock, most people had the Tigers 3rd or 4th behind the Twins and Guardians, battling with the Royals for a Wild Card berth.
I never understood the Twins hype coming in. It was a pretty even field though outside Chicago. Didn’t get the Royals hype really either. Im a little closer to local on that…team was built on luck. Worked by a game last season. Jot so much this. Maybe I was just touting Detroit in my mind. But they shouldn’t have been a major surprise
Rockies have been very impressive.
So, basically, which teams had the most wins.
Bob – No, it would be which team has performed the best compared to expectations and taking into account injuries, strength of schedule, etc.
Using that criteria, it has to be the Blue Jays. There were nearly a unanimous pick to finish last.
(I know I had them as a last place team)
The Tigers have surprised me the most . Outside of Skubal , who on the staff scares you? To have the best record in MLB at the break is impressive. I thought the Astros good times may have come to an end. There bullpen has been amazing all season. The yanks are a bit surprising ,big time injuries to Gil,Cole as well as Clarke.
The Red Sox are right where I thought the would be. It’s HOW they got there that is surprising me . HaHa
The question is more than 2 weeks late.
Has to be the Jays they were picked forth or fifth for the division by almost everybody and let’s face it the Tigers and Cubs are playing in soft divisions the AL Beast is never soft.
I’m gonna say the Reds. So many injuries on a team with so little margin for error. Yet they still have an outside shot at a playoff spot. They’re above .500, although with the second-toughest remaining schedule, who knows if that will be true in September.
The Yankees stink
The Mariners lost their starting right fielder Victor Robles and their starting second baseman Ryan Bliss, right out of the gate, and they are still out.
They also lost front line starters (and All-Stars) George Kirby and Logan Gilbert for extended periods, and another of their top five starters, Bryce Miller, is STILL out.
In the bullpen, their anticipated two late-inning go-to guys ended up on the injured list before the season even started, Gregory Santos (still down) and set-up man Matt Brash, who was out until early May.
Yet,….somehow….the Mariners are six games over .500 and hold one of the playoff spots going into the 2nd half after the All-Star break.
Had you told anyone that the M’s would have Kirby, Gilbert, Miller, and Brash out for substantial time AND lost their starting 2B and RF (sparkplug Victor Robles) on the 60 day IL……..NOONE would have them above .500 and holding a playoff spot at this juncture.
Sounds about equal to the other 29 teams except LAD.
Of the Division leaders:
Tigers – best
Blue Jays – biggest overachievers
Dodgers – biggest underachievers
Tigers followed very closely by the Brewers.
Cubs? Seriously? They were picked to finish first, again. They are in first, barely. They’ve had hardly any injuries compared to the Brewers who were decimated by injuries, especially pitching. YET the overrated Cubs are ONLY one game in front of the predicted 4-5th place Brewers.
Oh – Cubs have had the 6th-hardest schedule in MLB, and lead MLB in RPI.
AND yet the were favored to win the NL Central. Being in first place at the All Star break is NOT the “most impressive”. Again, no major injuries and only 1 game up.
The “RPI” is yet another useless, made up index by ESPN. Nice try though…
Gotta be the Brewers IMHO. Craig Counsell or no Craig Counsell. David Stearns or no David Stearns. Brewers make the most out of what they have, both with players and budget.
Tigers probably take this one. Coupled with their second half last season, probably one of the best teams over a calendar year. Granted, taking roster construction seriously in the AL Central will afford you some wins.
Has to be Tigers. Best record in MLB despite ending 1st half w/4 losses.
They will be the most disappointing story of 2nd half if they don’t fix their bullpen.
I’d have to add the St. Louis Cardinals too. They were left for dead. They’re performing better than expected.
The Tigers have been very impressive. Tarek Skubal is the real deal. Looks like they carried their end of the year momentum and playoff run into this season. Add in bounce back, all-star years from Gleybar Torres and Javy Baez and they have a complete team. But the Cubs have been a nice surprise to me. Having a brutal first half schedule that was one of the league’s most difficult and navigating it without their top 2 starting pitchers for most of the first half to a half game back of the Dodgers, is remarkable. The Cubs have three players with over 70 RBI at the All-Star break and the league’s first or second best offense that foes not just rely on slugging Homer’s. They are a great baserunning team and are in the top 5 in stolen bases. On target to hit 200+ Homers and steal 200+ bases. That’s a lot of production. The rotation has been patched together and the 3-4-5 starters have really stepped up their performance. The bullpen was a sieve thorough mid-may but is now the best in the majors somehow. Daniel Palencia brings the cheddar every night up to 103 and appears to be a legit closer. This bullpen has done this while missing Porter’s Hodge most of the season. He was supposed to be their best arm out there this year.
The Cubs have the tie-breaker against most of the National League in head to head battles, including all NL West teams. They have the easiest schedule in the second half but have many games left against the Brewers and Cardinals, so those will be toss ups at best. The Cubs have set themselves up nicely, but the Brewers have charged hard down the stretch and won 7 straight to sit one measly game back. They WILL NOT GO AWAY! Cubs took 2 of 3 at Yankee Stadium to end the first half after the Yanks had won 5 in a row. Now, they enter the second half facing the Red Sox, who have won 10 in a row, by the way. Cubs usually play the better teams very well. I hope they can win the games they should win in the second half. If they do, we could be looking at the first 100 win Cubs team in my lifetime. Lot of season left, but it’s been pretty exciting so far.
Compared to what was expected of them? The most impressive team has been the Giants. And the least impressive team has been the Dodgers.