![](https://m.stacker.news/147690)

No context laugh

Here are my 2nd half predictions based on your first half wrap. 

- Rays and Brewers both make the playoffs but lose in the first round 
- White Sox fade in 2nd half and miss the playoffs
- Marlins fade in 2nd half but get the final WC spot and lose in the WC round
- The Miz wins NL Cy Young
- Cardinals fade in the 2nd half and finish around .500
- Nationals do not lead the league in runs per game at the end of the season
- Eduardo Rodriguez finishes with an ERA over 3.50
- Nick Martinez finishes with an ERA over 3.50 
- Sonny Gray finishes with an ERA over 3.50 
- Parker Messick finishes with an ERA under 3.50 
- Luis Arraez gets traded 
- Cam Schlittler wins AL CY Young

grayruby

What SI missed @grayruby ?

One day without football i almost saw 2 no hitters, when i watch baseball is good for the game

gsc360

Stacker_Sports

- 🏆 Rays and Brewers are succeeding with a small-ball approach: both rank in the bottom five in home runs but top 10 in stolen bases and batting average.
- 📈 Milwaukee and Tampa Bay are both averaging fewer than one home run per game, yet both are leading their divisions.
- 🔥 The Brewers have MLB’s second-best run differential at +137; only the Dodgers are better at +163.
- ⚪ The White Sox are 47–43 and first in the AL Central after 89 games, matching their 2024 win total in 78 games.
- 🧢 Key White Sox performers mentioned: Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas, and rookie Munetaka Murakami.
- 🐟 The Marlins are 50–42 and hold the NL’s final wild-card spot.
- ⚾ Otto Lopez leads MLB in batting average (.343) and hits (124).
- 🧨 Miami also gets production from Xavier Edwards, Kyle Stowers, and Liam Hicks.
- 🧱 Max Meyer is described as a potential ace.
- 🎯 The NL Cy Young race is tight, with Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sánchez highlighted as the top names.
- 🌟 Other NL Cy Young contenders mentioned: Chase Burns, Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, Shohei Ohtani, and Eduardo Rodriguez.
- 🔴 The Cardinals are six games above .500 and chasing a wild-card spot.
- 🛡️ JJ Wetherholt leads MLB in outs above average.
- 💣 Jordan Walker has 21 home runs.
- 🔥 The Nationals lead MLB in runs per game at 5.37.
- 💥 Washington’s offense includes James Wood and CJ Abrams, who have 44 combined home runs.
- 🚀 Luis Garcia Jr. has a career-high 19 home runs in 86 games.
- 💪 The Nationals rank second in MLB with 130 home runs, third in OPS at .758, and tied for fourth in hits with 800.
- 🎖️ Eduardo Rodriguez has a 2.25 ERA in 18 starts after back-to-back seasons over 5.00 ERA.
- 🎖️ Nick Martinez has a 2.61 ERA with 18 walks in 100 innings.
- 🎖️ Sonny Gray has a 2.61 ERA, 82 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings, and a 10–1 record.
- 🌱 Rookie standouts include Kevin McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt, Sal Stewart, Parker Messick, and Munetaka Murakami.
- 📊 Kevin McGonigle ranks 7th in MLB with 3.9 fWAR.
- 📊 Wetherholt has 3.6 fWAR, 11th in MLB.
- 📊 Parker Messick has a 2.80 ERA in 18 starts and 2.9 fWAR, ninth among pitchers.
- 🏟️ Sal Stewart has 17 home runs, a .801 OPS, and 11 stolen bases in 90 games.
- 🧤 Luis Arráez ranks 6th in MLB with 10 outs above average after his move to San Francisco.
- 🏅 Arráez is batting .327 with 112 hits.
- 🔒 Cam Schlittler leads the AL with a 2.01 ERA.
- 🔥 Schlittler has 131 strikeouts in 112 innings and 21 walks.
- 📈 Schlittler has the highest fWAR among AL pitchers at 3.6.

https://www.si.com/mlb/10-most-pleasant-surprises-first-half-2026-season