The first half of the baseball season has flown by. Thanks to the pitch timer, which has cut 26 minutes of dead time from the average game, baseball has not been played this fast in 39 years. Packed inside the quicker pace are more hits, runs and stolen bases. And plenty of drama.
The biggest stories of the first half include Shohei Ohtani and Luis Arráez chasing history, the National League chasing the Braves ever since they started 14–4, the American League chasing the Rays ever since they started 13–0 and seven of the 11 lowest payroll teams holding at least a share of a playoff position (Orioles, Rays, Guardians, Reds, Marlins, D-Backs and Brewers), while half the playoff field from last season is on the wrong side of the cut line (Phillies, Mets, Cardinals, Padres, Blue Jays, Mariners). The game has flipped as the new rules reward younger, faster, more athletic teams.
