The MLB All-Star Game is behind us, with Middletown’s own Kyle Schwarber powering the National League to victory on Tuesday in the first swing-off to decide the Midsummer Classic. On Friday, all Major League teams will hit the field as the season resumes.
This is a pivotal time for many teams. As the second half begins, BetOhio offers Ohio sports betting insight on which teams have been the best after the All-Star break in recent seasons.
In the American League, there are six teams within 4.5 games of the Seattle Mariners, who hold the Junior Circuit’s final wild card spot. In the NL, four teams lie within 5.5 games of the San Diego Padres, who entered the break with the final spot. When you factor in the teams currently leading their divisions and those currently holding wild card berths, that means 22 out of 30 MLB teams – almost 75% of the league – have at a legitimate chance to play in October.
The next two and a half months will be make-or-break time for a lot of MLB teams and for Ohio MLB betting. With that in mind, BetOhio.com wanted to identify the teams that have performed the best and worst after the All-Star Break. We used Baseball-Reference.com data to compile the records of teams going back to 2015. (NOTE: The 2020 season was excluded because the COVID-shortened 60-game campaign did not include an All-Star Game).
The following might give Cleveland Guardians fans some hope and Cincinnati Reds fans some pause.
| Team | Record, Pct. | Playoff Appearances* | World Series Titles* |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 401-232, .634 | Nine | One |
| Houston Astros | 368-262, .584 | Eight | Two |
| Chicago Cubs | 369-274, .574 | Four | One |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 366-275, .571 | Four | None |
| Cleveland Guardians | 364-283, .563 | Five | None |
(*- 2020 season not included in totals)
The Cleveland Guardians playoff chances are spotty in 2025.
The Guardians rank fifth best in the majors and second in the AL in our study of the past decade. Last season, Cleveland went 34-32 after the All-Star Game, but that combined with a 58-37 start was good enough to win the AL Central for the second time in three years.
Another division crown looks unlikely as Cleveland trails the Detroit Tigers by 12 games. However, despite their 46-49 record, the Guardians remain just 4.5 back of the Seattle Mariners. While still a longshot – bet365 Ohio sportsbook gives the Guardians odds of +450 to reach the postseason – a wild card berth is attainable if manager Stephen Vogt’s team can get on a hot streak during the dog days of summer.
Third baseman Jose Ramirez enjoyed a solid first half of the season, hitting .295 with 18 home runs and 50 RBI. However, he’ll need help if the Guardians are to remain in the playoff chase in September.
| Team | Record, Pct. | Playoff Appearances* | World Series Titles* |
| Miami Marlins | 261-376, .410 | One | None |
| Chicago White Sox | 267-377, .415 | One | None |
| Cincinnati Reds | 273-370, .425 | None | None |
| Colorado Rockies | 277-357, .437 | Two | None |
| Detroit Tigers | 281-357, .440 | One | None |
Keep track of Cincinnati Reds playoff chances at BetOhio all season.
The good news for the Reds is that they sit 50-47 at the midseason break. They’re 7.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central with the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals between them. The Reds stand just 2.5 games back of the Padres for the last postseason spot, but Cincinnati also must overcome the Cardinals and Giants and San Francisco in that race.
Now for the bad news. Cincinnati has not enjoyed a winning second half since 2013, when the Reds reached the NL Wild Card Game. That’s also the last time the team made the postseason in a 162-game season. As of July 16, major operators offering top Ohio sportsbook promotions have the Reds at odds between +8500 and +18000 to win the World Series.
Two years ago, the Reds entered the break with a 50-41 record only to go 32-39 the rest of the way. They were eliminated from the playoff race in the final weekend of the season.
The Reds have the talent to make the playoffs. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz is on his way to having his best season (.284, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 25 stolen bases) in his young career, and Andrew Abbott (8-1, 2.07 ERA) has emerged as one of the best starting pitchers this season. However, the team has endured a slew of injuries – most notably ace pitcher Hunter Greene – that has kept them from being at full strength at any point in the season.
Fanatics Ohio Sportsbook gives the Reds odds of +600 to make the playoffs this season. Fanatics also gives Cleveland odds of +450 to get into the AL playoffs.
USA Today photo by Ken Blaze
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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