Major League Baseball is back in full swing after the All-Star break, and the second half of the 2026 season is shaping up as a frantic scramble ahead of the trade deadline on 3 August.
The midsummer classic in Philadelphia belonged to the American League, who cruised to a 4-0 win over the National League. Cody Bellinger was named the 2026 All-Star MVP, becoming the fourth Yankees player to claim the honour since the award was introduced in 1962.
As the games resume, the standings tell a familiar story at the top. The Los Angeles Dodgers hold the best record in baseball and the largest division lead, while the Atlanta Braves have recovered strongly to sit at 55-40 atop the National League East. The Oakland Athletics, by contrast, have endured a brutal stretch, sliding from playoff contention to 41-55 after a 3-17 slump.
There was concerning injury news too, with Philadelphia setup man Brad Keller landing on the injured list with a UCL tear in his throwing elbow.
With less than three weeks until the deadline, contenders and sellers alike are weighing the moves that could define their seasons.
_Reporting compiled from MLB.com and ESPN._