Before the 2014 season started, the Nationals were heavily favored to win the National League East. The first half started slowly, but the Nationals were able to turn it around and ended the first half with a 51-42 record and in a first-place tie with the Braves in the division.

The Royals are in better shape this year compared to a season ago, as they entered the All-Star break two games over the .500 mark and 6 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central. If that sounds too daunting, consider that they’re just 2 1/2 games out in the Wild Card chase.

The Royals made a move to strengthen their bullpen on Wednesday, acquiring right-hander Jason Frasor from the Texas Rangers.

The All-Star break came and went, and the Angels — a franchise-best 20 games above .500 by the end of the ceremonial first half — unloaded with the comfort of knowing they’re in prime position to return to the postseason.

Teams’ records and standings sometimes are misleading, an incorrect reflection of performance. Not so with the Pirates; for them to be circling .500 and in the National League Central’s fourth place couldn’t be more befitting.

Baltimore reached the 50-win mark in 91 games, its quickest since 1997, and ended the first half in impressive fashion with a 52-42 record. But the true test is keeping that up.

Unpredictable seems to be the most appropriate way to describe this year’s Braves team, which has to feel fortunate to enter the All-Star break tied for first place in the National League East. This might not have been the position they envisioned when they won 17 of their first 24 games.

With the All-Star Game now in the rearview mirror, the Yankees will return to the office feeling fortunate to still be within striking distance in the American League East race, while also recognizing that they have plenty of work to do.

Three days before the July 18 signing deadline for the First-Year Player Draft, it remains unclear whether No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken will come to terms with the Astros.

Derek Jeter’s final All-Star Game went better than anyone could have anticipated. After the game, both teammates and opposing players shared what they thought about playing with or against Jeter in his 14th and final All-Star Game.

The afternoon of Derek Jeter’s final All-Star Game started with a ride in the back of a slow-moving pickup truck, waving to the crowds along the red-carpeted streets of Minneapolis as the vehicle rolled toward the players’ entrance of Target Field. It concluded with the retiring Yankees captain doffing his cap to a standing ovation that lasted more than three minutes, finishing 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored as the American League’s leadoff hitter before being replaced at shortstop for the fourth inning.

With the final All-Star appearance of a legendary player taking center stage at Target Field, the 2014 Midsummer Classic embossed its own unique stamp on the history of the annual exhibition of baseball’s best talent. Aside from Derek Jeter’s moments of glory, there were other items of note as well.

A rain shower that delayed Monday’s Gillette Home Run Derby at Target Field couldn’t put a damper on the All-Star festivities in Minnesota, and it did lead to a full rainbow over the ballpark beyond center field as the event began that proved to foreshadow the unforgettable moments that were to come in the Derby and in Tuesday’s 85th All-Star Game.

Joined by Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki for the final frame, Glen Perkins flew through a one-two-three ninth inning in the American League’s 5-3 victory over the National League on Tuesday night at Target Field. The sellout crowd was absolutely thrilled.

White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez took the reins from Derek Jeter in the fourth inning of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game and then helped the American League stake a claim to home-field advantage in the World Series with a 5-3 victory at Target Field.

No one knows who is going to wind up with the American League pennant, but the survivor will owe thanks to players all over the league for the home-field advantage it will enjoy.