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There's still a long, long way to go, but here's what we've learned from the first 30 games or so.

My pick is guaranteed to be wrong no matter what, isn't it? Just check my track record. So here goes: In the 2012 World Series, you will see ...

The matchups will be determined by what happens on the field Wednesday. So let's run through the various scenarios.

Tiebreakers and weather could turn the first week of Bud Selig's new October into a logistical nightmare.

What's new? From Albert Pujols in L.A. to the playoffs to Marlins Park in Miami, the 2012 season has a much different look.

The Rangers got exactly what they wanted and needed at the trade deadline, heading the list of winners. The Yankees did nothing, and for that they lead the list of losers.

The biggest names still on the market? Astros outfielder Hunter Pence takes top honors as the deadline looms.

San Diego is working on potential deals involving closer Heath Bell, setup man Mike Adams and outfielder Ryan Ludwick.

Free-agent pitcher Brandon Webb has agreed to a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers, pending a physical, an official of a club that had interest in Webb told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

Joey Votto's got the edge in the NL MVP race, and Felix Hernandez is the leader for AL Cy Young.

Amazingly, another half-season is already in the books, so let's hand out the major awards as we hit the All-Star break.

It's safe to say that the first half of the season was filled with crazy injuries, nutty box-score lines and a fair share of no-hitters.

Relief pitchers, even the great ones, are rarely given serious consideration for Cy Young or MVP. The time has come to establish a new major award.

It's time to bid farewell to another season that was filled with highs, lows and so much in between. With that said, here come the awards.

A swarm of bees at Petco Park. A flock of sea gulls at Progressive Field. A Nat with almost as many homers as his team has wins. Yeah, it's been one bizarre first half, for sure.

From Cy Youngs and Cy Yuks to MVPs and LVPs to some of the stranger moments on the diamond, we look back at the first half of the 2009 season.