Baseball chasing Dodgers, Astros on eve of second half

The Washington Nationals have Bryce Harper anchoring one of baseball's best lineups, and a glaring hole at the back of their bullpen.

With the All-Star Game in the rearview mirror and the trade deadline inching closer, the World Series favorites are as clear as the beautiful blue waters of Miami that hosted baseball's best players for the past couple days.

The Dodgers and Astros are each on pace to win 100-plus games, something that hasn't happened for two teams in a single season since the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees in 2004.

The Dodgers' plus-163 run differential is the best in National League history at the All-Star break, according to STATS LLC.

Led by All-Stars Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and George Springer, they top the majors in runs, hits, home runs, RBIs and batting average.

Another starting pitcher also could help the Cubs, so expect Theo Epstein and company to be working the phones all the way to the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.

Some possibilities include White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana, Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray and Tigers star Justin Verlander.