1 big question for every MLB contender: Can the Yankees get healthy? Will the Dodgers flip the switch? Are the Red Sox a team of…

Now that the MLB trade deadline has passed and rosters are finally set, the final push to the postseason has begun. Just seven weeks remain in the regular season, but as contenders prepare for the home stretch, they still have major questions to answer before the postseason begins.

Here’s one key question for every contender over the final seven weeks of the season.

Chicago White Sox: Do they have enough starting pitching to win the division?

The White Sox are positioned to do something they haven't done since 2021: win the AL Central. But to do so, they’ll need to get more from their starting pitching down the stretch. Chicago’s biggest question in the second half is whether their young rotation can pitch well enough to hold off the surging Detroit Tigers and a hungry AL Central.

Starting pitching was one of the Sox’s main priorities at the trade deadline, which is why they added veteran right-hander Luis Castillo. But even with that veteran addition and right-hander Sean Burke being one of the American League’s breakout starters, the Sox will need more from their group to win the division and reach the postseason.

New York Yankees: Can they rely on their health?

The Yankees are putting a lot of hope in getting back to full strength before the end of the season. And while their star trio of Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton and, most importantly, Aaron Judge are all on the mend, time is not on the Bronx Bombers’ side with seven weeks to go.

Even after the stars return, there’s no guarantee the Yankees will get normal levels of production from them, particularly from Judge and Stanton. Judge has not played in a game since Memorial Day, and Stanton’s most recent plate appearance came way back in early April. Even for players of their stature, expecting them to quickly get back to their slugging ways might be foolish.

But the reality is the Yankees’ offense desperately needs the slug in the lineup to return. Since the first day of Judge’s absence on June 1, the Yankees rank just 27th in runs scored and 28th in OPS. Rookie call-up George Lombard Jr. has injected some fresh energy into the lineup , but ultimately, this team is holding its breath on the health of its veterans.

Boston Red Sox: Are they this year’s team of destiny?

The Red Sox are the best story in baseball this season . Their remarkable comeback from disaster following the firing of manager Alex Cora to being one of the best teams in the sport over the past seven weeks has been unprecedented. They’ve put together 15-game and nine-game winning streaks this summer, and they’re playing at well over a .700 clip since July 1.

When a team goes on a run like Boston has done this year, it’s clear it has the makings of something special. Now that they’ve gotten themselves in postseason position, the stars are seemingly aligning for Boston to continue its magical season in the playoffs. And with Roman Anthony continuing to make progress and left-hander Garrett Crochet not far behind, the Red Sox should have reinforcements on the way that could make them even more dangerous come October.

Chicago Cubs: Are they built to win the National League?

No team did more for its playoff hopes at the trade deadline than the Chicago Cubs, who addressed virtually all their needs . And with a new-look rotation and more arms getting healthy, Chicago now has the depth a contender needs to make a playoff push.

The Cubs’ offense has also seen a rebirth in the second half, with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s MVP-caliber season bringing it all together. Chicago has the makings of a roster built to win in October, so after a disappointing exit to the rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS last season, can the Cubs change their fortunes in 2026?

If their roster tells you anything, it’s that the Cubs are all-in to make their deepest run in the postseason since 2017.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Can they flip the switch for a third straight year?

They’ve been the pick to win the 2026 World Series even since they hoisted the trophy following Game 7 in Toronto. And while on paper the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers have a roster that should run through the rest of the National League, especially after the addition of Tarik Skubal, their challenge is one that few teams face .

When you win as much as the Dodgers have over the past five years, it can be harder to flip the switch. Quite frankly, the Dodgers look bored lately, knowing that their season really starts once the calendar flips to October. In recent weeks, even manager Dave Roberts has implored his group to play with urgency.

The past two seasons, the Dodgers were able to turn it on and let their talent carry them in the postseason. The question now is whether they can do that for a third season. Not to mention that with this team, the health of the starting rotation is never a sure thing .

Milwaukee Brewers: Can regular-season success translate to postseason glory?

When it comes to the regular season, the Brewers thrive. They have the front-runner for the NL Cy Young Award in Jacob Misiorowski, and on top of that, they continue to show that they can be one of baseball’s best teams despite being in one of its smallest markets. This season, the Brewers are top five in batting average, runs scored, team ERA and strikeouts on the mound.

But regular-season success is nothing new for the Brewers; they’ve done this plenty of times in recent years. The next step for Milwaukee is getting that success to translate to October. Milwaukee made its deepest run in the postseason since 2018 last year but ultimately was swept by the Dodgers in the NLCS.

One thing that is almost always true in the playoffs is that teams that slug usually win. Ranking 30th in MLB in homers, that’s just not in the Brewers’ DNA. So while the Brewers have figured out how to get to the postseason, figuring out how to succeed once there is going to be their challenge over the final seven weeks.

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Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →