Two Struggling Teams That Might Be Back in Business Soon

July 4, 2026 - 19:23

With the Fourth of July now here, it is a good time to take a look at the standings and examine which teams are truly in the race and which teams are not. For some clubs, the first half of the season has been a grind, marked by injuries, inconsistent pitching, or a lineup that just cannot find a rhythm. But a few of these struggling teams have reasons for hope in the second half.

One team that fits this description is the St. Louis Cardinals. They have hovered around .500 for much of the season, and their offense has been surprisingly quiet. However, their starting rotation is finally getting healthy, and young position players are starting to show flashes at the plate. If the bullpen can stabilize, the Cardinals have the experience to make a run in a weak division.

Another club to watch is the San Francisco Giants. They lost key players to injury early on, and their lineup has lacked power as a result. But their pitching staff has remained solid, and several prospects are knocking on the door. With a favorable schedule ahead and some veterans due for a rebound, the Giants could quietly climb back into the wild card picture.

Neither team looks like a juggernaut right now. But in a season where no one seems to want to run away with things, being just a few games over .500 might be enough to stay in the conversation. The next few weeks will tell if these clubs can find their footing or if they will be sellers at the deadline.