MLB Week 15 Hot or Not: The All-Stars showed up

Although some ASG participants fell hard, many proved why they’re worthy of the honor by putting on show-stopping performances

This week’s recap covers the 15th full week of the season, from July 6-12, the final week before the 2025 All-Star Game.

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AL West
Hot: Bryan Woo twirls a gem and joins the 2025 ASG in back-to-back days
There aren’t many guarantees in baseball, but Woo making the AL All-Star team is one that anyone could have seen coming miles away. With a 2.75 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP, Woo is by far the best pitcher in Seattle’s rotation. Woo celebrated his first All-Star nod the next day by dominating Pittsburgh, issuing three hits and eight strikeouts through six scoreless innings in Seattle’s 6-0 win — how fitting!

Not: Hunter Brown pitches his worst game this season
Brown was bested by the Guardians a week before his first career All-Star appearance. He gave up six runs off six hits through six innings, which included two home runs and three walks. It’s not the morale booster a pitcher hopes for, and worse, Brown wasn’t able to use his poor outing as fuel when representing the Astros in Atlanta — he didn’t pitch.

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AL Central
Hot: Byron Buxton hits his first cycle
On his own bobblehead giveaway game, Buxton became the 12th player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. In the Twins’ 12-4 rout of the Pirates, Buxton completed his cycle in his last at-bat in the seventh inning when he launched a 427-foot missile to center field. Buxton’s first career cycle couldn’t have come at a better time, as he will made his second career All-Star appearance and first Home Run Derby participation at Truist Field on July 15.

Not: Andrew Benintendi’s inconsistency will backfire
The White Sox veteran sure isn’t hitting like he wants to be traded: Benintendi slashed .111/.261/.111, bringing his batting average down to .227 this season. With $32.2 million left on his contract, it’s hard to imagine anyone would be willing to take on the steep financial commitment given his poor play this year. Not only will it hurt the White Sox’s ability to compete and progress their rebuild, but keeping Benintendi on a team nowhere near the playoffs will hurt him even more.

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AL East
Hot: Cody Bellinger gets revenge
In his first game facing the Cubs after leaving them in the offseason, Bellinger made a statement. He blasted three home runs, driving in six runs to help the Yankees breeze past the Cubs. Kyle Tucker narrowly stole Bellinger’s fourth home run in the eighth, but it doesn’t take away from an epic return to the Windy City.

Not: Josh Lowe slides into the All-Star break
Lowe needs the mid-summer break to reset. His miserable .087/.192/.130 with only a run and two RBIs certainly isn’t representative of his All-Star-level talent. His season .251/.322/.728 slash line is a much fairer representation of his skills. Sitting 5.5 games back from the Blue Jays in the division, the 50-46 Rays may move Josh Lowe before the deadline.

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NL West
Hot: Patrick Bailey walks it off inside the park
Oracle Park is one of the best places to hit an inside-the-park home run, with the weird indentation in right field, and Bailey took advantage of it. In the Giants’ exciting 4-3 win against the Phillies, Bailey became the second player in MLB history to hit an inside-the-park home run at Oracle Field. Bailey’s inside-the-park home run marked the third this year and first time in 99 years for a catcher.

Not: Dodgers’ first-place cushion in jeopardy after seven-game skid
The Dodgers were humbled last week, mired in a six-game skid. After being swept by the Astros, the Dodgers were dealt another sweep by the Brewers, losing 15-4 to a team whose payroll is 67% lower than theirs. Perhaps instead of getting cocky, mainly referring to Clayton Kershaw’s snide comment about Jacob Misiorowski being the “twisted ankle guy,” the Dodgers should keep their heads down and let their playing speak for itself.

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NL Central
Hot: Matthew Boyd demonstrates why he’s an All-Star
Boyd’s breakout season is properly getting recognized. Hours after being named an All-Star for the first time in his career, Boyd contributed a three-hit, nine-punch out start in Chicago’s 11-0 shutout over the Cardinals. He now holds a 2.52 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in just more than 103 innings. Although he won’t pitch in the ASG, the honor is forever.

Not: Pirates losing streak drags due to weak offense
Pittsburgh’s lineup has been of little service lately. Producing just 14 runs last week, the lineup batted .187 and slugged .283. The Pirates wasted both of Paul Skenes’ starts, including his five-frame, 10-strikeout outing against the Mariners. There’s no way around it — Pittsburgh’s lineup hasn’t supported its pitchers enough.

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NL East
Hot: Philly’s pitching soldiers through All-Star grievances
Despite vocalizing their frustration about Jacob Misiorowski replacing Matthew Boyd in the All-Star Game, Philadelphia’s pitchers did their job without much run support. The pitching crew combined for a 2.68 ERA and WHIP, distributing 11 runs over six games. Zack Wheeler notched another complete game that nearly became a no-hitter, while striking out 12. Controversy aside, Philadelphia’s pitching has been the highlight of the team this season.

Not: Washington faces an untimely midseason crisis
The Nationals fired president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez a week out from when they make the first pick in the 2025 MLB draft — yikes! After Boston completed its sweep, Washington decided to rattle the then 37-53 team. Despite having a host of young talent, including All-Star James Wood, the Nats haven’t had a winning season since they won the World Series in 2019. Although they definitely needed a wake-up call, firing key front office figures right before the draft maybe wasn’t the best call.