With the All-Star Game behind us baseball starts to really heat up with playoff races tightening up just in time for the stretch run.

Let's start in the National League, where your current division leaders are Atlanta, Cincinnati, and San Diego. Yes you read that right – the Braves, Reds, and Padres, none of which made the playoffs a year ago.

The Braves will have to contend with the Mets and Phillies in the second half, and expect all three teams to try and upgrade for the stretch run. Atlanta already landed Alex Gonzalez to add some pop at short, and the Mets are getting some help without having to make a move with Carlos Beltran due back. Over at Sportsbook.com they've tagged the Braves as their division favorite at -220, while the Mets are a +400 underdog, and the Phillies are getting better odds at +175.

No offense to the rest of the division, but the NL Central is a two-team race between the Reds and Cardinals. The oddsmakers agree after giving only the Reds (+120) and Cards (-240) respectable odds. The Reds may make a move to add a bat if they can find the right deal, and the pitching will also get a boost from the return of Edinson Volquez. The Cards are also in the market for another bat and they should get some help from the DL when Brad Penny returns.

The NL West looks like a division that could have three to four different leaders before the season is through. San Diego has the Dodgers, Rockies, and Giants all within striking distance right now. Over at Sportsbook.com they like the Rockies and Dodgers both at +160, while the Padres (+225) and Giants (+500) are the underdogs. The Dodgers, Rockies, and Giants could all be buyers at the deadline, while the Padres could actually be sellers if they fall out of contention.

In the American League the division to watch, as always, is the AL East. The Yankees are leading right now but keep an eye on the Red Sox and Rays. Boston has tons of help coming from the DL, including Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Dustin Pedroia, and Victor Martinez. The Rays are rumored to be looking at slugger Corey Hart and definitely have the pitching to make a run at the Yankees. New York is always looking to upgrade and starts the second half as the Sportsbook.com division favorite at -250 and World Series favorite at +250.

The AL Central has come down to a playoff the last two years and another one could be in the cards with the White Sox, Tigers, and Twins all in the running. Chicago rode an amazing June to take over the division lead, but could be in the market for a pitcher after losing Jake Peavy for the season. Detroit could also use some rotation help, while the Twins need their pitchers to rebound from a horrible June and Joe Mauer to regain his MVP form. The latest odds have the Sox on top at -110, followed by Detroit at +120, and the Twins at +250.

The NL West is another division with a two-team race between the Rangers and Angels. Texas has one of the most powerful lineups in the baseball and the addition of Cliff Lee to their rotation makes them a legitimate contender in October. The Angels will likely need to make a move of their own to catch them. Los Angeles has had a hole in their lineup since Kendry Morales went down and could use someone like Adam Dunn. After adding Lee the Rangers hit -1000 on the futures, while the Angels fell to +200.