Harper's quest for Triple Crown headlines 3 storylines to watch in 2nd half
The first half of the major league season is officially in the books following the All-Star Game and there is no shortage of storylines heading into the stretch run.
The impending trade deadline, playoff races, and historical milestones provide plenty of reasons to tune into the remaining 2 1/2 months of the regular season.
Here are three things to watch in the second half:
Buyers and sellers will soon separate themselves
The introduction of a second wild-card position has slowed the trade market, but there should be no shortage of movement prior to the non-waiver July 31 trade deadline.
Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro is running out of time to move the numerous veterans he's promised to trade, while the cellar dwelling Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies have plenty of pieces they could move should they look to retool.
There's no shortage of big name players that could find a new home, with Cole Hamels, Dan Haren, Mat Latos, Jonathan Papelbon, Johnny Cueto, Chris Davis, James Shields, Jean Segura, Alexei Ramirez, Aroldis Chapman, Jeff Samardzija, and Ben Zobrist among the names rumored to be on the trade block.
Last season's deadline saw Jon Lester, David Price, John Lackey, and Andrew Miller all change teams, and expect this year's event to feature much the same.
Bryce Harper is on pace to make history
Bryce Harper is overrated no more. The 22-year-old phenom has already set career highs in home runs and RBIs at the midway point of the season and is in contention to become the first National League player to win the Triple Crown since Joe Medwick in 1937.
| Rank | Player | HR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giancarlo Stanton | 27 |
| 2 | Bryce Harper | 26 |
| 3 | Todd Frazier | 25 |
| Rank | Player | RBI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nolan Arenado | 70 |
| 2 | Paul Goldschmidt | 70 |
| 3 | Giancarlo Stanton | 67 |
| 4 | Bryce Harper | 61 |
| Rank | Player | AVG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Goldschmidt | .340 |
| 2 | Bryce Harper | .339 |
| 3 | Dee Gordon | .338 |
While the Triple Crown is within reach, there is another significant milestone on Harper's radar. Managing to stay healthy for the first time in his four-year career, Harper has positioned himself to become the youngest player in major league history to hit 50 home runs in a season.
He'll have his work cut out for him as Harper would need to hit 24 home runs in the Nationals' final 75 games. Though, that number is hardly unobtainable since it took Harper 70 games earlier this season to hit 26 home runs.
Prince Fielder - at 23 years and 139 days - is currently the youngest player to reach the half-century mark in a single season.
Who will separate themselves in the AL East?
With first and last place separated by just 6 1/2 games, the American League East is the most tightly contested division in baseball.
The New York Yankees enter the second half with a 3 1/2 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in a division built on inconsistent performances and five teams that all have serious needs.
| Team | Record | GB | Vs. AL East | GR vs. AL East |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankees | 48-40 | -- | 21-17 | 38 |
| Rays | 46-45 | 3.5 | 21-20 | 35 |
| Orioles | 44-44 | 4 | 24-20 | 32 |
| Blue Jays | 45-46 | 4.5 | 21-20 | 35 |
| Red Sox | 42-47 | 6.5 | 17-27 | 31 |
While the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Yankees are desperate for pitching, the Rays are starved for offense. The Baltimore Orioles sit in the middle of the pack in the league in both pitching and hitting and could use an upgrade on both sides.
The parity was expected heading into the season and the trade deadline looks to be where teams will finally separate from the pack. With each team set to face one another in the division another 30-plus times, this should be one of the best postseason races in recent memory.