MLB: 5 Storylines to Watch For in the Second Half

Jun 22, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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Jul 12, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; National League players line up for the national anthem before the 2016 MLB All Star Game at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; National League players line up for the national anthem before the 2016 MLB All Star Game at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The second half of the MLB season is around the corner after last night’s All-Star game, and with a slew of teams still in the running, including the Philadelphia Phillies (what the…?), there will be a number of storylines to keep an eye out for throughout the rest of the 2016 season.

I generally don’t follow the typical storylines throughout the MLB season. There are just too many for each team for MLB Network to cover them all, so I wanted to make a brief list of some of the storylines that we likely won’t be hearing much about for the rest of the season, but that doesn’t make them any less intriguing in the long run for baseball fans.

This isn’t going to be a list of the usual suspects. You won’t see any mention of the Chicago Cubs on this list. Ok, there is a brief mention, but they aren’t the focal point of the storyline. I’m only human. What you will find are some under-the-radar stories that may not ultimately have an effect on the rest of this season, but could play a big role in determining future seasons. We’re talking breakout stars, in-state rivalries and the development of young players.

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