On Baseball | Second-Half Questions

The All-Star Game is over - better luck getting in next year, Albert - and the second half of the season is upon us.

Here are 10 questions worth pondering the rest of the way.

Will Pedro lift the Mets? Even with the best personnel in the National League East, the Mets are being challenged for their second consecutive division title by the Braves and Phillies. All three teams have pitching shortcomings. One big acquisition could be the difference in the division. The Mets hope that Pedro Martinez, who should return in August after undergoing rotator-cuff surgery, can be the difference maker. They also will be in the hunt for Dontrelle Willis if he becomes available.

Is it over for the Yankees? In 1978, they made up a 14-game deficit to overtake the Red Sox and win the American League East. They will need similar magic if they are going to get to the postseason for the 13th straight year and save the jobs of manager Joe Torre and general manager Brian Cashman.

Can the Red Sox be caught? They had the majors' best record and only double-digit lead at the all-star break. But there are concerns in Boston. David Ortiz is having problems with his right knee and might need surgery down the road, and Curt Schilling is still out with a tender shoulder. The Sox need both of these postseason veterans to be healthy down the stretch. Adding another arm as insurance for Schilling isn't out of the question.

Will baseball salute Bonds? It's no secret that commissioner Bud Selig would rather eat his shoe than give props to Barry Bonds, who is on the cusp of breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. Selig still won't say whether he will be in attendance when Bonds shoots down Aaron. He might be waiting to see whether a grand jury indicts Bonds for perjury this month or new evidence about Bonds' alleged steroid use comes to light, either through the Mitchell investigation or Kirk Radomski, the former steroids impresario of the Mets' clubhouse who is cooperating with federal authorities. Short of these developments, Selig may have to stifle the reflex to vomit and shake Bonds' hand.

Who will win the AL Central? The Tigers and Indians haven't gone head-to-head in a race since 1940, when AL MVP Hank Greenberg led the Tigers to a one-game victory. The Tigers have the majors' best offense, but they need to plug some bullpen holes. They are pursuing Eric Gagne and hope to get a healthy Joel Zumaya back for the stretch run. Keep an eye on the Twins. They were 12 games out the first weekend back from the break last year and surged to win it. Johan Santana, their ace lefty, is 45-10 with a 2.55 ERA in the second half in his career.

Can Milwaukee hang on? The Brewers, who haven't made the playoffs since 1982, have been one of baseball's best stories, leading the NL Central since April 21. But with Carlos Zambrano pitching like the ace he is, the Cubs have played a lot better since early June, and they finally seem to be jelling under Lou Piniella. They could give the Brewers trouble - and soon. The Cardinals are pinning their hopes of a surge on ace Chris Carpenter's comeback from elbow surgery, but he suffered a setback last week and his return is still uncertain.

Which big names will be traded? Texas is likely to fuel a rebuilding project by dealing Eric Gagne or Akinori Otsuka, and there's a chance it could move Mark Teixeira, who will be a free agent after 2008. The Rangers also could move Sammy Sosa and Kenny Lofton. Cincinnati could unload Adam Dunn, David Weathers, Jeff Conine or Kyle Lohse and probably would move Ken Griffey Jr., though he must approve a deal. With Mark Buehrle re-signed, the White Sox will look to move Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez or Jon Garland. Jermaine Dye figures to go, as well. The Marlins could trade Willis or Miguel Cabrera, but that would be expensive. Washington and Houston would look for big returns on their closers, Chad Cordero and Brad Lidge. The Giants will dangle starter Matt Morris.

Who will win the two Wild Wests? The NL West could go down to the final day, with the Padres and Dodgers leading the way, and the Diamondbacks giving chase. The Padres need offense and seem content to give Milton Bradley a shot. A difference-making talent such as Willis, Dunn or Teixeira could put the Dodgers over the top.

The Angels entered the second half with the lead in the AL West, but they will have to hold off the Mariners, who are starting to believe in themselves after a late-first-half run. Both teams have good bullpens, and the Angels' could get better with Justin Speier returning from the disabled list. The Mariners could look to add another starter, and it would help if Richie Sexson got hot. You never can count out Oakland in the second half. Since 1999, the Athletics have the best second-half record in the majors, 376-217.

How high can he go? Alex Rodriguez led the majors with 30 home runs and 86 RBIs at the break. Will he be the first AL player to reach 60 homers since Roger Maris in 1961? Will he be the first $30 million-per-year player? The Yankees would like to renegotiate and want to get a deal done before A-Rod can opt out of his contract in November.

Big, round numbers. In a season that already has seen a few milestones - Sosa (600 homers), Frank Thomas (500 homers), Craig Biggio (3,000 hits), Roger Clemens (350 wins) - there are more to come. Tom Glavine (300 wins), Griffey (600 homers), A-Rod (500 homers) and Jim Thome (500 homers) are close to notable marks.